Old Bill Barley © Photo Healy Racing
Willie and Patrick Mullins completed a short-priced bumper double at Kilbeggan as 1/1 favourite Old Bill Barley defied greenness to win the finale.
As on his earlier bumper winner Walk On The Moone Mullins brought his mount to challenge on the outside two furlongs out and took a narrow lead from Caldwell Diamond over a furlong out. The Mullins newcomer ran around quite a bit in front but was a length and a half in front where it mattered with Mollys Dream a further four and quarter lengths back in third.
"He was very babyish, very green. In the straight he was hanging out and then he hung for the last bit,” said Patrick Mullins.
“He was keen in patches and a bit like I was saying with the last mare there is probably improvement in him because he's probably running a bit sooner than we would normally run them.
“I think he'll improve again when the penny drops. I'd imagine he'll stay on the go as he looks like a summer horse, he's light framed.
“He'll jump a hurdle as well and probably fences in time.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
