"They went fast for two furlongs and then pulled up. I had to sit and suffer in a pocket which wasn't ideal, and he did well to win from there," said Patrick Mullins after getting Kolumbus (2/1 favourite) home by a neck in the closing Loughnagore INH Flat Race at Kilbeggan.

Willie Mullins' (Valyssa Monterg initiated a double for him earlier) charge got the better of Crosshue Boy after the race had unfolded in the straight.

"I'd be happy to make more use of him in future, and that could bring about more improvement. He loved the ground, and I'd say we'll keep him in now for the summer," added the winning rider.

Owners Sean Sweeney and Kieran O'Hare are from County Down, and they made the trip down to Kilbeggan.

(AM & EM)