Hey Johnny earns Cheltenham ticket

The father and son team of Tom and Charlie Mullins were on the mark as Hey Johnny defied topweight in the Powerstown Demesne (Q.R.) Handicap Hurdle at Clonmel.

The half-brother to Sir Gerhard must be a favourite of Charlie Mullins who has also won two bumpers on the Worthadd gelding and e was sent off 3/1 favourite here on the back of a promising handicap debut when reappearing at Punchestown earlier this month.

The five-year-old struck the front after two out and kept on strongly on the run-in to account for Marelly by two and a quarter lengths. Barbaha Queen was a further six lengths back in third with Johnny Clarke completing the places in fourth.

Tom Mullins said, “He went off the boil last year and was fresh and well from the run at Punchestown, when I didn't dream he'd finish third. I thought he'd need the run and he did.

"Charlie was good on him, was very cool, as he is. He didn't say anything about the ground today and I'd say the ground doesn't matter to him and two miles suits at the moment.

"The owner (Joe Fitzpatrick) wants to have a runner at Cheltenham in November and there's a novice handicap there, if he fits into it."

Quotes by Tom Weekes