Patricks Park is driven out by Rachael Blackmore© Photo Healy Racing
Patricks Park benefited from a nicely judged ride by Rachael Blackmore to take the Coral Sandyford Handicap Chase at Leopardstown.
The seven-year-old gelding was available at 14/1 this morning, and was well-backed on track from 10/1 into 6/1. Three Stars set sail for home from the second last in this 2m1f event, and still held a four lengths advantage approaching the final fence where he made a mistake.
Patricks Park really got into top gear on the run-in and finished strongly under Blackmore, partnering her first winner for Willie Mullins, to score by two and three quarter lengths. Tully East was a further five and a half lengths away in third, with Blast Of Koeman completing the places in fourth.
Mullins said, "It was a very good performance and I'm delighted for Patrick (Mullins) and Paul Byrne who bought the horse from England and he looks very well bought now. He didn't cost a million or anything like that.
"He had won in Ireland and in England and they're all the time looking for horses that could be bargains and this is another one.
"I'm delighted for Rachel and it's a fantastic prize to win and she got a really good tune out of the horse down the back. You could see from the stands, he was jumping out of her hands and she was just trying to keep out of trouble.
"She is a fantastic rider and is one of the hardest workers in the country; she rides out for me two or three days a week and then lots of other places and is always on the go and gets results.
"He disappointed over hurdles the last day but we came back a mile today. He might run at Cheltenham if he gets into one of the handicap chases."
The Closutton trainer was on the mark earlier in the day with Min and Footpad
(TW & AM)
