Mullins ends season with yet another record

Willie Mullins is the name on everyone's lips and laptops this week at Punchestown and the Champion Trainer broke new ground with his 13th winner of this year's Festival, with a treble on the final day courtesy of his The Paparazzi Kid in the Setanta Sports Handicap Hurdle (Grade B) today.

The race was also the curtain-call for Mullins' runners this season (with just the bumper left) and The Paparazzi Kid, under Ruby Walsh, was Mullins 193rd success in Ireland this term. Mullins was also bettering, by one, his previous best record tally at the Festival with his 13th win.

Regarding The Paparazzi Kid, Mullins stated “we said we'd run him today eventhough we didn't think he'd go on the ground.

“We may keep going with him now unless the ground becomes rock hard and he'll probably go over fences next season. He has been too free in his races but is now learning to settle now.” Glens Melody and Diakali were Mullins' earlier winners today, bringing his seasonal Grade 1 tally to 24.

Jockey Walsh, who completed a double on The Paparazzi Kid was also steering his 101th, and final, winner of the season,

By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Alan Magee