Mullins family in bloom with Primrose

Patrick Mullins extended his advantage to three at the head of the jump jockey’s table when Primroseandblue just held on by the minimum margin in a tremendous finish to the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Hurdle at Killarney.

Owned by his mother Jackie and trained by his father Willie, the 5/4 favourite made most of the running but was taken on up front entering the straight by Lean Times (4/1).

The pair fought out a great duel with the Mullins gelding gaining a slight advantage on the run-in, and then just holding on by a nose as his rival rallied gamely in the closing stages.

Patrick Mullins said, “It was not ideal to make the running but they were going slow and he got a soft lead. The jumping won it for him really.

“He was hanging right the whole way but jumping straight, and he’d be better going the other way. I think he could make a superb chaser.”

This was his 28th winner of the season, leaving the amateur three ahead of both Davy Russell and the sidelined Ruby Walsh.