Willie doubles up in bumper

No surprise to report that Willie and Patrick Mullins won the Monami Construction INH Flat Race but, given the dominance the duo have been exerting in bumpers this season, the 9/2 starting price of My Great Mate was a nice bonus for their many followers.

Third at Killarney on debut, the Jukebox Jury grey was prominent throughout and, despite having been keen, stayed on well up the hill to thwart 7/4 favourite Arctic Gale by a length-and-a-quarter.

Trainer Mullins, completing a double after landing the opener with Mystical Power said: “I thought Patrick was very good on him tactically. He gave him no help and it was a hell of a ride on a difficult horse.

“They were all queuing up behind and he just had enough kept in reserve.

“He’s well-bred but unfortunately we lost the mare.”

Winning owner Jackie Mullins bred the four-year-old who is a three-parts brother to Grade 1 novice hurdle winner Ashroe Diamond.

Quotes from Alan Magee