Ballyward impresses for five-star Mullins

Ballyward gave Willie Mullins five winners at Leopardstown today with an authoritative display in the bumper.

For the second day in a row it was six winners for Mullins as Some Neck obliged in the opener at Limerick under Patrick Mullins.

The jockey then travelled up to Leopardstown to partner Ballyward and doubtless he'll be delighted with that decision.

The four-year-old gelding tracked Wood Emery and as that rival came under pressure approaching the home bend he picked up the lead. Drumconnor Lad tried to make a race of it but Ballyward drew clear in the final furlong to win easily by 16 lengths.

The winner was very well supported from 13/8 to 9/10f. Drumconnor Lad received a runner-up prize at 3/1. Caltex (11/2) was half a length back in third.

Willie Mullins said: "He gallops all day. He probably showed us a bit more speed than he shows us at home. He stays all day.

“We’ll probably go for a winners' bumpers somewhere with him and keep him for novice hurdling next year.

“I’d say he wouldn’t have any problem going back to two miles on softer ground. Today is probably very good ground and that’s why we ran over two-and-a-half.

“I think with his pedigree once we get into proper winter ground he will be very competitive over two miles.”

On the two days at Leopardstown and Limerick which have yielded 12 winners he added: "We’ve had a fantastic two days and fingers crossed we can keep it running.”

When asked about whether the trainer's title was on his mind he replied: "You wouldn’t be competitive if it wasn’t. The only thing we can do is keep having winners. They are really in form and we have a lot momentum to keep going and try. We’ve got to catch up."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson