A half-sister to six bumper winners, the 4/5 favourite Nikini upheld the family tradition when making an impressive winning debut in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Flat Race.

Enhancing winning trainer Willie Mullins’ fine strike rate in bumpers this season, the daughter of Sea Moon was patiently ridden and kept wide for the best of the ground by Patrick Mullins.

She travelled well throughout and led over a furlong out before racing away in the straight to beat Sandymount Baby by a dozen lengths.

The winning rider acknowledged a good reception from the stands as he saluted the crowd upon passing the post.

Patrick Mullins commented: “A friend of mine, Cathal Coughlan, who I went to primary school with, asked me to find a horse for him so Jock O’Connor very kindly leased us this mare.

“The blue and white is Old Leighlin colours which is next to Leighlinbridge.

“She’s not very big but she has plenty of speed and I think she could go back on the Flat no problem. She could also go for the mares’ bumper in Gowran.”

Quotes from Alan Magee