EMOTIONAL OAKS WIN FOR MULLINS There was a fairytale outcome to the Darley Irish Oaks when Vintage Tipple recorded a first classic victory for veteran trainer Paddy Mullins.The Entrepreneur filly, who cost just E16,000 at Goffs, finished strongly under Frankie Dettori making up over three lengths from the furlong pole to peg back the front-running L´Ancresse. Mullins, 84, best remembered for his handling of the great Dawn Run, was recording his first Group 1 success since Hurry Harriet won the Champion Stakes in ´73.The victory sparked ´Cheltenham like scenes´ in the parade ring, with Dettori performing his customary flying dismount and a rousing rendition of ´the banks´ for Cork owner Patrick O´Donovan. ´She suffered a hairline fracture of a cannon-bone before the Irish 1,000 Guineas, and was in her box for three weeks. If she stays lucky, the sky is the limit,´ said Mullins.Aidan O´Brien, still seeking his first Irish Oaks, had to settle for fourth place with 11/8 favourite Yesterday but he was earlier on the mark with One Cool Cat in the Anglesey Stakes.The Storm Cat colt earned a 16/1 (from 25´s) quote for the 2,000 Guineas after easily taking this Group 3, travelling smoothly throughout undwer Michael Kinane and cruising to the front under a furlong out to beat Leicester Square by a length and a half. ´He´s an exciting horse and has always worked well. He could come back here for the Independent Waterford Wedgewood Phoenix Stakes next month,´ said O´Brien.Rock Of Gibraltar´s brother Rock Of Cashel made his debut in the seven furlongs maiden, and stayed on into third behind fellow newcomers Mustameet and Groom Raider. ´He had a nice education there, and didn´t have to work too hard,´ said winning trainer Kevin Prendergast.Avorado, successful in a handicap here a fortnight ago, justified a supplementary fee of 8,000 euro when graduating to Group company in the Minstrel Stakes. The five-year-old gelding led inside the final 100 yards for Kevin Manning to beat d´Anjou by three quarters of a length. John Oxx continued where he left off on Saturday when saddling a 1-2 in the Ladies Derby with Kiteflyer just getting up in the final strides to beat pace-setting stablemate Zimbabwe by a head. Sinead O´Keeffe (27), from Mullingar, was recording her second win, and Oxx commented, ´There should be more races of this type to give stable girls a chance to ride. Both horses act of fast ground and stay well, and Zimbabwe may go for the mile and three quarters handicap on the Friday of the Galway Festival.´Alan Magee
