Mullins takes Command in bumper

Willie Mullins saddled a short-priced double at Cork as Squadron Commander recorded a decisive win on debut in the McCarthy Insurance Group INH Flat Race.

The Closutton maestro was on the mark earlier as Livelovelaugh justified odds of 4/7 by making all under Paul Townend in the beginners chase but Patrick Mullins adopted more patient tactics here.

The 4/6 favourite made good headway to lead two furlongs out and soon asserted to score by four and a quarter lengths.

Love N’ Peace cut out a lot of the running but looked a spent force early in the straight.

However she rallied well under pressure to take the runner-up spot, with Buck A Trend another two and a quarter lengths away in third.

Mullins said, "He is a nice type and I'm happy with the way he handled that ground and I think there'll be a lot of improvement on better ground. We'll go up a grade now and go for a winners bumper and stick to that route this season."

(TW & AM)