MINELLA COCOONER became Killeen Glebe’s first Grade 1 winning graduate when making all to win the Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Novice Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival.

Last seen winning his maiden hurdle with ease, the Willie Mullins-trained bay was ridden to make all as he stepped up to two miles and six furlongs. Quickening when challenged at the second last, he was ridden out to score by two and three quarter lengths under a confident Danny Mullins.

Danny Mullins was impressed by the winner and said, “He is very slick at his hurdles for a horse who stays well. Hollow Games moved up coming to the second-last but I was happy I would pick up and battle with him, but it was a nice surprise to see how easily I got away from him. It was a fantastic performance.”

Speaking after the race, the champion trainer said, “Danny was very good on him in front, he got some tremendous jumps from him and got breathers into him after his hurdles and paced it beautifully.” On future targets, he commented, “We won’t talk about any other festival, we are here at a Grade 1 festival, the Dublin Racing festival, and it’s as good a festival as there is around.”

Bought as a foal with Kevin Ross, Minella Cocooner was sold by Killeen Glebe in the fifth year of trading through Limekiln Stud. Second on debut for purchaser John Nallen, he was sold privately to David Bobbett and impressed on his rules debut in a Kilbeggan bumper.