Mullins completes Kilbeggan double

Willie Mullins completed a double at Kilbeggan today as his Robin Des Foret justified strong 5/6 favouritism to lead home a proverbial ‘line of washing’ of finishers in the concluding Athlone Bumper, under the Champion Trainer’s son Patrick Mullins.

Robin Des Foret and Time And Times raced clear of their rivals with half a mile to race and in the end Mullins’ mount proved seven and a half lengths too strong for that rival. Third placed Kitty B was a further 53 lengths adrift, followed further back at intervals of 24 lengths and 21 by the fourth and fifth placings in the 11 runner field.

Afterwards Patrick Mullins stated “I just felt he was very keen in Galway; I’ve been riding him out since and felt that was the way to ride him, let him roll as he's a big long striding horse.

“It's a tight track and I didn't want to get caught up among horses. He's fit and probably the best horse in the race so I kept it simple.

“He may go for the winners bumper in Listowel. I think a flat track is ideal for him as he's a big shell of a horse and he's a bit weak to be tackling a big hill at the moment. With good ground on a flat track he's a fair horse.”

Trainer Mullins was earlier successful with the Paul Townend partnered Westerner Lady in the beginners chase.

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson