WILLIE MULLINS costs punters thousands with a 1-100 certainty – after another of his runners came through in an incredible end to this Naas race.
Those backing in-running thought they were on to a good thing when the Mullins-trained, JP McManus-owned Karoline Banbou hit the front in a mares’ maiden hurdle on Monday.
Sent off 1-2 fav for her powerful connections, Mark Walsh did his best to get her to the front despite not always jumping fluently.
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Gordon Elliott’s 7-2 chance Qualimita was battling with Karoline Banbou for the lead at the last and it looked like the finish would be played out between those two.
Especially as the Brian Hayes-ridden 4-1 chance Baby Kate – a Listed bumper winner also trained by Mullins – appeared to have run out of gas.
Sensing their chance, £2,000 was matched on Karoline Banbou at 1.01 – 1-100 – on the Betfair Exchange.
But those punters quick enough to snap up the price watched in horror as Baby Kate found a jaw-dropping second wind.
From nowhere after the last she sprouted wings to nut the two front runners at the post.
Qualimita couldn’t even hold on for third, with 14-1 Belle The Tigress flying home late under Rachael Blackmore – who was returning from a three-month neck injury – in a truly mad finish.
Football fans might want to follow the progress of Baby Kate – who was cut to 14-1 for the Mares Novices’ Hurdle – closely given who bred her.
Former Premier League star Kevin Doyle, who played for Reading and Wolves, has successfully turned his hand to bringing in the next generation of big racing names.
And Mullins – who was ‘visibly shocked’ when winning the Manager of the Year gong at the recent RTE Awards – in particular liked what he saw.
He said: “That was great. Baby Kate looked beaten, but once she pulled out and got daylight, Brian (Hayes) said she just got her second wind and away with her.
“I’m very pleased with her because I think the other mare (Karoline Banbou) is good, two nice mares first and second.”
While Hayes, boyfriend of Blackmore, added: “She’s got a hell of an engine.
“I thought I was booked for third jumping the last then she’s got a sniff of it on the run-in and she’s taken off again.
“I was very impressed with her. She’s very clever.”
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