Mullins leads Galway race with a brace

Queen Deirdre (8/11) made an impressive start to her career to give Willie Mullins a double on the day and his seventh winner of the week in the concluding Terry Cunningham Memorial European Breeders Fund Mares INH Flat Race at Galway.

Patrick Mullins did the steering on the King's Theatre four-year-old, on whom he put up a pound over, of his flagged up possible two pounds, at eleven stone four.

That mattered not a whit though, as the heavily backed youngster (from evens on course) strode away from the two pole to defeat Joy's Gift by twelve lengths.

"That was very good. She showed plenty of gears at home but I didn't think she was that strong. The manner of her win surprised me, as a four-year-old to win like that against older horses," said Willie Mullins.

"She might go for a winners bumper or we could leave her off until the winter. She can do nothing but improve." Westerner Lady took the feature earlier for Mullins under Ruby Walsh.

A points system (1st - 5pts, 2nd - 3 pts and 3rd - 1pt) decides the leading trainer over the week at Ballybrit. The score currently stands at Willie Mullins 48, Dermot Weld 46. 3,800 Euro and the Chanelle Plate goes to the winner., while the runner-up receives 1,200 Euro.

The Stewards interviewed P. E. Collins, trainer, concerning his failure to nominate a rider before the designated time for An Dun Abu Evidence was heard from the trainer, who explained the circumstances surrounding his failure. Having considered the evidence, the Stewards allowed the late nomination of Mr. E.P. O'Brien and accepted the explanation offered. .

(DM & EM)