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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Mullins and O'Sullivan double up with Uncle Phil

Mon 19th Jun 2023, 19:41

Uncle Phil jumps from fence to fence for Michael O'SullivanUncle Phil jumps from fence to fence for Michael O'Sullivan
© Photo Healy Racing

Uncle Phil put in a scintillating performance to rout the opposition in the beginners' chase at Kilbeggan.

This was his second crack at fences having unseated at the last when beaten in third at Wexford last month.

It was a very different story today.

Willie Mullins' Walk In The Park gelding tracked his stablemate Winter Fog in the early exchanges before taking over after the first fence.

Uncle Phil put in a lovely round of jumping and had the field toiling as he slipped away on the run to the final fence.

Another good jump sealed the first prize as he galloped in by 13 lengths at 5/2 from 4/1.

Winter Fog, the 6/4 favourite, made it a one-two for Mullins.

This gave Mullins a double as his Space Tourist was a wide-margin winner of the mares' hurdle on the card. It also brought up a brace for jockey Michael O'Sullivan who won race two on Ranger Billy for Eoin Doyle.

Assistant trainer Patrick Mullins said: “This track suited him much better, a flatter track. Wexford was a bit too stiff for him, he likes to get on with it.

“He jumps fantastic and he's going to be a much better chaser than he was a hurdler. He's starting to settle a bit better as well.

“We'll look for a novice chase somewhere and I think flatter tracks are going to suit him better.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson

About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.