Emmet Mullins teamed up with his cousin Patrick to land the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Auction (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race as well-backed favourite The Gossiper won in decisive fashion at Wexford.

The Dylan Thomas gelding showed ability despite falling on both point-to-point outings for Sam Curling last year and was all the rage with early morning quotes of 4/1 soon disappearing before being sent off the 5/4 market leader.

The six-year-old was produced by Patrick Mullins on the outer in the straight, leading a furlong out before quickening clear to score by four lengths with the front-running Awesome Shirocco fading to finish a further length and three quarters adrift in third.

Emmet Mullins said, "He is a lovely horse to look forward to. He was very unlucky in his point-to-points - he tipped up both days he ran, Sam Curling had him then.

"With the point-to-points shutting down, his owner decided to give me a go with him. It's great for John (McEnery), who is in Rossenarra Stud in Kilkenny. We have a bit of dealings with John through the Mee's as he looks after their horses on their down time.

"He done that well today. Patrick had sat on him at home and was very keen to ride him here today. He is exciting and I'd imagine we will probably keep him as a novice for next season.

"When the ground gets better, he will improve again being by Dylan Thomas. It was probably just ability that got him through today."

Mullins also outlined his plans for Cheltenham next week adding, "The Shunter is going, keeping the dream alive. It will be very ground dependent as to what race he goes in. This was soft this morning but it took a hell of a lot of getting here this evening. We are asking for a miracle for that sort of change in the weather at Cheltenham but we will wait until we know as much as we can before making a decision.

"Cape Gentleman is staying at home. Sneaky Getaway will be my other runner at Cheltenham, he might go in one of the handicaps. He disappointed on softer ground this season but he got a nice bit of confidence in Dundalk on the better ground - he ran a very nice race. Fingers crossed a bit of spring ground will bring about improvement again with him."

(DM & AM)