Winters and Mullins win Amateur Derby

Patrick Mullins fulfilled an ambition to win the Amateur Riders Derby at the Curragh, teaming up with Mick Winters to land the Manguard Plus-backed mile and a half big field event on Theos Well (8/1).

Listowel festival second placer Theos Well got a patient steer from Mullins, and he arrived travelling well in the final quarter mile.

Once asked to go and put a seal on things Theos Well went away to defeat the staying on Pivot Bridge by three and a quarter lengths.

"He ran a great race in Listowel where he had to go wide, and three strides further he would have been up," said Winters.

"It took a while to figure him out last year, and my horses were not right this year. He'll get an entry in the Cesarewitch.

"He's not an easy ride, and Patrick gave him a great ride.

"The syndicate (the Theos Well grouping) are from Cork and Limerick, and one fella is from Mayo."

The Stewards received a request from John C. McConnell, trainer of Why Me (GB), to allow the nominated rider Mr M.J. Stenson, carry two pounds overweight, which had not been declared.

Evidence was heard from the rider and trainer concerned. Having considered the evidence, the Stewards allowed the request but found the rider to be in breach of Rule 198(vii) and having considered his clean record, fined him €150.

Mr D. Sinnott, rider of Propriano (USA), trained by D. K. Weld, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount was running freely in the early stages when he clipped heels and was unseated.

The Stewards received a request from Adrian McGuinness, trainer of Pivot Bridge (GB), to allow the nominated rider Mr L.J. McGuinness, carry three pounds overweight, two of which had been declared.

The stewards allowed the request and subsequently interviewed the rider. Having considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that the rider was in breach of Rule 198(vii) and having considered his clean record in this regard, fined him €150.

(AM & EM)