McDonogh and Mullins team up well with Above The City

Patrick Mullins was an eye-catching booking for even-money-favourite Above The City in the On-Course Vets Flat Race at Ballinrobe, and the pair secured a snug success by two lengths.

The five-year-old mare had come in third on her last couple of outings but made no mistake this evening.

She travelled strongly three furlongs out and closed on Rian Thomas and Moylass with a quarter of a mile to negotiate.

She was pushed along to get on terms with Rian Thomas turning in and was ridden to take the lead in the final furlong.

She wandered slightly in front but was well in charge in coming home ahead of Rian Thomas (9/2).

There was a nine-length gap back to Blanketontheground who got up for third by a head.

Des McDonogh said: "That's great - Patrick's first ride for me and a winner. We hadn't one good enough for him to ride before now!"

"He said she was green in front. She was a bit upset in the ring too and she hadn't done that before.

"I think she'll be good when she jumps a hurdle.

"It'll shorten the drive home - Little Haarth was unlucky earlier in a messy race [fourth in the extended two mile five handicap hurdle]."

Additional reporting by Eamonn Murphy