Proactif climbed towards the top of the ante-post market for the Triumph Hurdle with a smart win in the Tote Guarantee, Never Beaten By SP Hurdle at Fairyhouse.
The Willie Mullins-trained four-year-old won his sole start in France by six lengths before being purchased by JP McManus and moved to Ireland in the early autumn.
He was a 15-8 chance to win on his yard debut under Mark Walsh, with stablemate and fellow French import Macho Man the 13-8 favourite under Paul Townend.
It was those two horses who did battle at the business end of the two-mile event, with Proactif coming out on top by two and three-quarter lengths.
A taking Irish debut from Proactif to land the @ToteRacing Guarantee, Never Beaten By SP Hurdle 🟢🟡 pic.twitter.com/3KBZdCDagF
— FairyhouseRacecourse (@Fairyhouse) January 14, 2026
"He's a grand, big horse. Mark said he jumped well but was still a little bit green sometimes in front," said Frank Berry, racing manager to McManus.
"He galloped and jumped, we’re very happy with him.
"Knowing Willie, it (the Dublin Racing Festival) will probably be a bit soon. He’s had a run in France and learned a little bit today. You could only be happy with him.
"He stays and jumps, he looks the ideal type (for the Triumph Hurdle). Touch wood he stays in one piece.
"I thought they were going to get to him going to the last but in fairness he got to the line well."
Champion Bumper heroine Bambino Fever got off the mark over obstacles with a comprehensive success in the Tote Always SP Or Better Handicap Hurdle.
The Willie Mullins-trained mare won the Grade One National Hunt Flat contests at both the Cheltenham and Punchestown Festivals last term, capping a flawless campaign that yielded four wins from four starts.
She started out over hurdles at Naas last month and was beaten into second place as the 1-4 favourite, and was the 1-10 market leader for her second attempt over two miles and two furlongs, again under Paul Townend.
Bambino Fever justified those odds this time and after making all the running, she posted a comfortable 12-length victory.
Dual Grade One heroine Bambino Fever captures the Download The @ToteRacing App Mares Maiden Hurdle pic.twitter.com/iWAbAabwfb
— FairyhouseRacecourse (@Fairyhouse) January 14, 2026
"That was grand. I would have liked a lead as she wasn’t doing a lot in front but she was jumping clean," said the winning rider.
"She had to get down and race over the last two. I didn’t get anywhere near the bottom of her but she learned how to jump fast and she did it well.
"We would have been disappointed if she didn’t do what she has done. I can’t tell you from that the ability she has but I liked what she did."
Brian Hayes guided Western Diego to victory in the Grade Three Bet With Tote Dan & Joan Moore Memorial Handicap Chase.
One of four runners in the race for Willie Mullins, the nine-year-old was a 9-2 chance to reverse the form with Drumgill and Touch Me Not, the two horses ahead of him when third over course and distance last time out.
In a field of 12 he duly delivered, securing a three-and-three-quarter-length triumph from stablemate More Coko with Touch Me Not, the 7-2 favourite, back in third.
A Willie Mullins 1-2 in our feature, the G3 Bet With @ToteRacing Dan & Joan Moore Memorial Handicap Chase as Western Diego lands the spoils pic.twitter.com/Iochagg6Xj
— FairyhouseRacecourse (@Fairyhouse) January 14, 2026
"It was a fantastic ride by Brian. He's a very tricky horse to ride but Brian knows him well," said Patrick Mullins.
"He had good class bumper form and hurdle form, he’s just a decent horse.
"I’d imagine his route probably maps itself, all those good handicap chases. Now that he’s settling he could probably go up in trip.
"We could look at the Grand Annual with him. I’m not sure at this stage."
The Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase went to Port Joulain for the champion trainer.
The seven-year-old was well beaten on his chasing debut over two miles and seven furlongs, but a drop back to two miles and a furlong seemed to do the trick as he prevailed by a length and a quarter under Paul Townend at 15-8.
"He jumped brilliant. Obviously it was a big drop back in trip but he can go back out in trip again, it was just the race presented itself," said Townend.
"His jumping allowed him to dictate in front. Two good jumps down the straight probably won it for him. He was on top at the line and will go further in future.
"It’s a cliche but he’s a chaser. To be honest he didn’t jump hurdles brilliantly but he does jump a fence really well. I think he can make into a nice horse."
The concluding Watch Danny’s Diary @ToteRacing (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race went the way of 11-10 favourite The Wager, ridden by Patrick Mullins to give his father a fifth winner across the afternoon.
