O'Connor foils Mullins in competitive amateur contest

Great rivals Derek O'Connor and Patrick Mullins were to the fore in the closing stages of the Lodge At Ashford Castle (QR) Handicap Hurdle. 

O'Connor produced recent Naas winner Oneforgonzo (6/1) to lead in the final furlong and the Dylan Thomas gelding held the late thrust of the Mullins-ridden 1/1 favourite Onlyamatteroftime, who had been dropped out in rear, by a length and a quarter. My Friend The Wind also made good late gains to finish just a further head away in third.

The winner is trained in Tallow Co Waterford by Sean Aherne.

"I got a great kick out of that," said O'Connor.

"Sean Aherne is a hard trier. He doesn't always have the best quality horses but he has found a nice one here.

"This lad has a good future ahead of him and will jump a fence in time. Sean is after reminding me there that I rode my first winner for (owner) Eoin Barry twenty years ago. 

"There's an amazing crowd here again at Ballinrobe this evening. The racing is always good here and the entertainment put on by the racecourse is good, so why wouldn't people come?! It's great to see it."