Mullins scores with first runner as a trainer

Another trainer to have his first runner and first winner on this evening's Kilbeggan card was Emmet Mullins who saddled St Stephens Green in the bumper.

The four-year-old gelding was very popular with punters throughout the day being backed from 2/1 to 11/8. He was returned the 9/10 favourite on the back of a seventh of 22 in the valuable Goffs Land Rover Bumper at Punchestown in April.

Patrick Mullins positioned him on the shoulder of Leaving Las Vegas before cruising into the lead approaching the home turn. He was shaken up to go on and win the race 200 yards out. The winning margin was four lengths to Blessed King (9/2). Star Foot was a further seven lengths away in third at 50/1.

Emmet Mullins, who was better known as a jockey before tonight, said: "Job done! I'm used to plenty of pressure situations and that was grand. Patrick kept it simple and I'm delighted for the owners, the Mees. Putting him in with me meant a lot and hopefully it will be a help in the future.

"He'll be a nice horse for a winners' bumper in Galway. He's a nice, big horse and ran a good race in the Land Rover Bumper. He'll be kept going, he's a real good ground horse. I don't imagine he'll jump hurdles this year.

"I might come back to ride the very odd one."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes