Mullins' Miguel is on the improve Progressive has to be the tag to go on the Jackie Mullins-owned Miguel Angel, after the 7/1 shot ran away with the Tramore Racecourse Supporters Club Maiden Hurdle. Trained by the owner's husband Willie, and ridden by his nephew Danny, the French-bred came on markedly here, for a bumper run at Ballinrobe early last month, which preceded a thirty five length fifth of thirteen finishers in a maiden hurdle at Sligo on May 23rd. Things mightn't have looked over hopeful here, when he didn't get things right at the first and the fifth and received reminders. However Miguel Angel really went into overdrive from before the final flight, to put nine and a half lengths between himself and Hes Our Robin (trained by Willie's brother Tom). Dual winning 'pointer' Battle Of Clontarf looked likely to win for a time around the second last, and he ended up a length and a quarter back in fourth. Eleven to eight favourite, Simiel, was fourth having made the running. Danny Mullins remarked: "It was a good performance, he is a nice horse and he is improving all the time. He'll make a nice summer novice hurdler. He won well and I'd be happy with him." Patrick Mullins later had a good tale to tell on Miguel Angel, saying: "He is actually a registered sire. "We threw him out in the field as a two-year-old and we thought he was gelded, but he covered a home-bred mare, Airlie Beach, who since won a bumper. I have the foal now, and he is from winning parents anyway." Jockey Jonathan Burke was his usual assured self, as he did another stint behind the microphone. On the sidelines through injury at the minute, Burke called a race last evening, and he again stepped into commentator Jerry Hannon's role for this heat. The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Faraway Mountain, trained by Gordon Elliott, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be lame on his right foreleg. (DM & EM)
