Patrick Mullins moved a winner closer to retaining his champion amateur rider crown when he got Clonard Lad home by half a length in the concluding Metal Man (C & G) (Pro/Am) Flat Race.

Mullins now leads Nina Carberry by three and in this two miler he got the successful chestnut to the front at the two furlong pole and he desperately fended off the challenging Traffic Article (7s into 7/2).

Willie Mullins, the winning trainer remarked: "The better ground has helped him. We'll keep him going for the summer and he'll go jumping soon."

Unfortunately for Nina Carberry (okay), her mount, Suir Prince broke a leg five furlongs out.