Encounter gets off the mark in style The mother and son team of Mags and Danny Mullins teamed up to take the Mount Leinster Maiden Hurdle at Wexford as Last Encounter scored in runaway fashion. The Beneficial gelding, runner-up last term in a maiden hurdle and a bumper, was sent off the well-backed evens favourite in this 2m4f event and justified the confidence in style. The five-year-old gelding made most of the running and, despite showing signs of greenness, had all his rivals toiling before the straight. He stayed on strongly to score by an ever increasing 15 lengths, with Don't Be Hasty edging out Jesmond Lodge for second spot. Mags Mullins said, "He is a lovely horse but he has just been a bit of a baby. I'd say he is probably a three miler. "I think he's a good horse but I said I would take the easy route with him and let him learn as he goes along. He is green and he wanders around and gawks a bit but I'm delighted with him and he was full of running. "I think he is better going left-handed. Down Royal didn't work out for him and when he got into trouble he just panicked. "Ger and M ary Mullins own him. They are next door neighbours of mine and they own Duninga Gallops. Ger trains a few himself and he has a runner at Gowran on Saturday. Paddy Mullins would have been Ger's uncle." (DM & AM)
