More joy for Mees and Mullinses

There was a double on the day for the Mees and Willie Mullins as a good festival got better for the combination. Exchange Rate did the needful in the Win Big With Tote (Q.R.) Maiden at Galway.

This German-bred followed up a Downpatrick bumper victory from 20 days ago when he was in Jackie Mullins' ownership.

Here the Monsun gelding, a 7/2 shot with Patrick Mullins aboard, didn't have a trouble free passage but still managed to beat Great Trango by two and a quarter lengths.

The gambled-on Rickrack (9/2 into 9/4) was keen from the front and ended up finishing in third.

The earlier Mullins/Mee victor was Minella Beau in race one under Ruby Walsh.

"It was a gutsy performance for the second run of his life," said Willie Mullins.

"He's a Flat/hurdle horse and not a big chasing type.

"I'd be expecting improvement as he goes up in trip and he'll mix it between the Flat and hurdles."

Patrick Mullins meanwhile stated: "He improved a lot from his first run.  It was getting a bit tight but when he got a gap he took it and was very brave.

"He was bought in Germany as a two-year-old and has a real Flat pedigree.

"We weren't worried about coming back to a mile and a half as he's all speed.

"He's won in Galway now for the Mees and that's their Cheltenham."

(AM & EM)