Treble for Mullins as Pickapocketortwo scores

Willie Mullins domination of the National Hunt game continued at Sligo this evening with the champion trainer landing a treble as his Pickapocketortwo won the Setanta Screens Maiden Hurdle with his son Patrick aboard.

Sent off the 7/4 favourite, the winner was travelling best in second behind the leader Share Wood (backed from 12/1 this morning into 7/1 at the off) as they ran into the straight. However Patrick Mullins had to roust his mount to the front before eventually going on to score by a length and a half. Hollyville fared best of the rest back in third at 25/1 for her trainer Colin Bowe.

Winning rider Patrick Mullins said afterwards: "That probably as far as he wants to go. He will probably go for a winners race next and then go chasing sooner rather than later."

The winning owners the Young Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association (YITBA) were enjoying their first success over jumps with the son of Fruits Of Love.

Donal Murphy