Turner rides first winner over fences as Mullins doubles up

Luke Turner was seen to good effect on Annamix who brought up a double for Willie Mullins when striding clear in the INHSC Tetratema Cup Hunters Steeplechase at Gowran Park.

The jockey was happy to let the race unfold in front of him as his mount raced in fourth of the six runners entering the home straight.

A good jump three out saw Annamix bound into the lead approaching the next and he ran away from his rivals on the run-in to win by an emphatic 10 lengths at 9/2. Early Doors took minor honours in second at 5/2 while Ramillies (5/6f) weakened out of contention in fourth having made a lot of the running.

Patrick Mullins, who owns the winner in partnership with Paul Kelleher and Cian Kiely, said: “Luke is only 17 and from Donegal. He’s been with us about two years and is taller than me. He’s a very natural rider who works very hard at his weight and deserves the opportunity. It’s great for him to get the win.

“He rode a bumper winner for Barry Fitzgerald before in Galway.

“He’ll go back to Aintree now and I’ll ride him there. He’s a brilliant jumper and Aintree will suit him over two and a half miles. He’s a fast horse, they went slow and it turned into a sprint which suited him.

“Better ground would suit him as well.”

Willie Mullins was also responsible for Aime Desjy in the preceding race, the beginners' chase.

The Raceday Stewards interviewed Mr L.T. Turner, rider of Annamix (FR), concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who accepted that he was in breach of the whip regulation R.10.3 (c) and apologised for his actions. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Raceday Stewards found Mr L.T. Turner to be in breach of R.10.3 (c) (The unnecessary hitting of a Horse that clearly has its Race won or has obtained its maximum placing) and having considered his record (second offence under Regulation 10), they suspended him for four racedays.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee