Bellshill and Patrick Mullins© Photo Healy Racing
Punters who trusted Patrick Mullins to pick the right one of the five representatives from the dominant yard of his father Willie, were rewarded at odds of 8/1 in the Grade 1 Attheraces.com Champion INH Flat Race at Punchestown.
Bringing up a double on this card for the Mullins stable, after Killultagh Vic s success earlier, Bellshill was also supplementing the big win of Felix Yonger, for owners Andrea and Graham Wylie, from yesterday.
Aintree runner-up Bellshill led under three furlongs out and he kept up the gallop from a furlong out. In the end he had three and a quarter lengths and three parts of a length in hand over favourite, Disko and Modus
"He was the first of ours home at Cheltenham and he ran a cracker at Aintree which was the best form on offer from our yard. That's why I picked him," said Patrick Mullins.
"He must be some tough horse to go to Cheltenham, Aintree and Punchestown. He's improved with every run.
"He has plenty of size and he's well able to jump. Dermot, who does all the work with him at home, has been telling me all year that he's been improving every month and it's fantastic for the Wylies.
"They didn't have any luck at Cheltenham so hopefully this will make up for that."
Graham Wylie said: "He must be a very tough horse because he went to Cheltenham and Aintree and now he's come here.
"The truth is that I was down at Willie's yard this morning and he told me not to expect too much from Bellshill as he'd had a tough season. I was in the stands not even cheering much.
"To see him win today in such style was just tremendous.
"He's a lovely horse and a nice prospect for next year."
Willie Mullins commented: "I thought he'd a hard season but Patrick was keen to ride him. They are all good winners in their own right, and deserved to run, and it gives us a good indication of where we are going next year.
"He's a fine big horse and a chaser one day, we hope. He'll go hurdling next season.
"To have five Grade 1s so far this week is great, and fingers crossed it can keep going. We have had more than our fair share but I'm delighted with everything.
"Djakadam was very keen but it was a great training performance by Gordon to keep Don Cossack so fresh and sweet all season, and he's improving. Our fella was keen and hadn't been like that before. Cheltenham just lit him up but maybe in a good way, and we'll be able to harness that next season."
For the 2016 Neptune Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham Paddy Power go 12/1 first show about Bellshill.
S.R.B. Crawford, trainer of Montana Belle reported to the Clerk of Scales that his charge scoped abnormally post race.
(AM & EM)
