Blue Bullet (right) edges out Scent Of Roses© Photo Healy Racing
Blue Bullet just edged a terrific final furlong duel to land the opening two-year-old maiden at Cork for champion National Hunt trainer Willie Mullins.
The Closutton handler is better known for first time out bumper winners but showed again that he is equally adept at producing horses for the Flat.
Gary Carroll sent the Red Clubs colt into the lead over a furlong out but he was soon tackled by the Dermot Weld-trained Scent Of Roses
The pair were locked together in the closing stages with Blue Bullet just sticking his head out at the line for a neck success on his debut.
Ballydoyle colt Performance was sent off the 11/10 favourite but had nothing to offer in the closing stages after making the running.
"He went well in a schooling race at Dundalk last Tuesday under Emmet McNamara," revealed Carroll afterwards.
"He jumped well and travelled well and was very tough. He got headed but really stuck his head out - which I liked.
"He's a great ride for a two-year-old - to come and do that first time out."
Gary Carson & Alan Magee
