Barker impresses at Tramore

Barker produced a great performance coming off a 256 break and form figures of UPF to land the Holden Plant Rentals Steeplechase in really good style under David Casey.

Willie Mullins' former Pierse Hurdle hero, a Grade 1 winner at the Punchestown Festival in 2009, was the only one able to go with the pace-setting Whinstone Boy at the business end and the grey came home an impressive five and a half lengths in front of Back Of The Pack (8/1 into 4/1). That mare showed her toughness to put in an effort like that after running just yesterday at Punchestown. Meanwhile Whinstone Boy ran an excellent race in preparation for his defence of the Thyestes Chase at Gowran.

Patrick Mullins said: "That was great. We just ran him to get his confidence back. We didn't expect him to win like that. He'll step back up in grade now and he has always been a classy horse but last season was a bit of a disaster.

"It's great for the owner, Eamonn Duignan, after Secant Star broke his pelvis yesterday. It's a nice change of fortune for him. Dad was saying on the phone that David (Casey) gets on very well with him (Barker) and he is a horse that can run over a variety of trips."

Mullins was winning his second race on the programme at Tramore after Sir Vincent s earlier victory whilst he also struck at Fairyhouse.