Mark Nunan
Five out of five for Mullins
Winter Fog jumps to the front at the last
© Photo Healy Racing
Wille Mullins made it five out of five for day two of the Leopardstown Christmas festival when Winter Fog (3s out to 11/2 before the off) landed the two-mile handicap hurdle.
Fourth in the Pertemps Final over three miles at Cheltenham in March for Emmet Mullins, the eight-year-old was having his first start since May on stable debut for the all-conquering champion trainer.
He travelled sweetly in mid-pack for 7lb claimer Kieran Callaghan who produced him to lead at the last and he went away to readily beat Palace Rock by six and half lengths.
Mullins remarked: “That fella did it nicely and Kieran is a good young rider, cool kid, and he deserves a lot of the credit for it. He rides a lot of his work at home.
“We brought him back to two miles, he was running over longer trips last year but his homework suggested he would be capable of being competitive over two miles.
“I'm very pleased for his new owners (the Triple Lock Partnership) as well and we'll look forward to more handicaps with him.”
Quotes from Gary Carson