Mullins welcomes back Paddy Reilly

Paddy Reilly's Dublin colours were carried to success at Cork today as the famous balladeer renewed old acquaintances with Willie Mullins and his family to win the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase with Stones And Roses

Stones And Roses today improved one placing on a recent runner-up effort at Wexford when justifying 11/4 favouritism in a five and a half lengths win over Randalls Ur Poet

Dubliner Reilly, now 80, is best known for his renditions of The Fields of Athenry and following the race his son Ciaran Reilly, a joint-owner of Stones And Roses, reported “dad couldn't make it but he'll be delighted - we all are. This is our first horse with Willie although Paddy (Reilly) has had horses with Paddy Mullins in the past. That was a while ago and they had a few winners together back in the day.

“We got involved with Willie last year with Stones And Roses. The horse's name was there when we bought him, he was homebred and Jacqueline (Mullins) named him and we bought him as a four year old.

“He ran well when finishing second in Wexford a few weeks ago and he stayed well today.

“The family are good stayers and Brian said he stayed on very well; Brian gave him a great ride.”