Bandaged Mullins gets Outsider home in front

Dark Outsider stayed on best from the last, to land the Irish Examiner Handicap Chase for trainer James Dullea.

Successful at Clonmel and Tramore last season, the son of Indian Danehill finished fourth on his last three starts, with his most recent effort coming at Punchestown on New Year's Day.

Sent off at 5/1 today he was settled behind the leaders by Danny Mullins, and was fourth with a circuit to race.

He took closer order from three out and was ridden in pursuit of the leader after the next. He got to the front shortly after the last, and kept on well from there to score by a length and a half. Not For You who was sent off the easy to back 9/2 favourite (from 3's), couldn't reel in the winner on the run-in, and he had to settle for second under Davy Russell for Charles Byrnes. Patsio (16's to 10's on-course) was another neck back in third, with Dylan Robinson in the saddle for Shay Barry. The front three went twenty-one lengths clear of the remainder.

Dullea said afterwards: "We knew he was in good form coming here but was afraid he might need the run. He ran well off a break last season and I was hoping he would do the same today.

"I thought Danny (Mullins) was excellent on him as he waited and waited and timed his run.

"Danny deserves big credit as he got a heavy fall in the first race (from Sunday At Augusta and could have been stood down. He is all bandaged up on his face but is a hardy bit of stuff and I'm delighted he was on him as he gets a great tune out of him.

"He's a great little horse and that's his third win and there's a possibility he could mix hurdles and fences for the summer now.

"I'm delighted for the owners (Bayshaven Syndicate); John O'Brien isn't here but wasn't here the last time he won too so we might keep him away next time!

"These winners are hard to come by so we treasure them we they do come and I'll have five or six horses for the summer.

"Most of my owners are locals and this is the second nearest track from my base in Bandon but I'd absolutely welcome more."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes