Rocket Lad takes the finale for Emmet Mullins

Emmet Mullins finished the Galway Festival on a high, as his well-backed Rocket Lad 7/2 into 9/4 on course) made all the running under Ruth Dudfield to win the concluding bumper, the Fr.Breen Memorial (Pro-Am) INH Flat Race.

The winning rider set fractions to suit herself in front, and took a couple of lengths out of the favourite Blazing Emily as they raced out of the dip.

This proved crucial as the winner, successful at Tramore in May, galloped on to score by a length and-a-half from the closing Blazing Emily (5/4 fav), with Cabin Hill (10/1) three and-a-quarter lengths further back in third.

The complexion of the race had changed when morning favourite Meticulous was withdrawn due to the rain-softened ground.

Emmet Mullins, denying his uncle Willie an eleventh winner of the week, finished with a tally of three winners from six runners himself and said: “He’s as tough as old boots, and Ruth was brilliant on him. She used her head and picked the best of the ground.

“He was tough, and when Patrick came at him he kept finding a bit more. I think he’s a proper horse and there is a big future in him.

“There is a big engine underneath this fellow, and every time we go for him there is a bit more in him. I’m very excited by him.

“The soft ground was no problem. He was third in his point-to-point on soft ground and we had no issues with that.

“Today was the plan and we had no real agenda after this. He’s an older horse and I’d say he will be kept on the go over the winter.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee