Patrick Mullins pictured with some of his fan club © Photo Healy Racing
Odds-on favourite Abi's Champ was an easy winner of yesterday's Downpatrick bumper under Patrick Mullins and the multiple champion amateur returns to the northern track this afternoon to partner another short-priced favourite, River Tara in the finale.
Mullins, who has ridden a remarkable 14 winners from just 18 rides this term, will also saddle his father Willie's two other runners on the card including the well-bred Dysart Dasher in the 2m2f maiden hurdle at 2.20.
The Flemensfirth gelding, a half-brother to Listed-winning hurdler Dysart Diamond and Grade 2-winning hurdler and smart novice chaser Dysart Dynamo, was fourth to stablemate Chosen Witness in a bumper at Limerick's Christmas meeting.
Speaking at the track on Saturday, Mullins said of Eleanor Manning's homebred six-year-old: "Nice horse, jumps well. His winter form was a good run. This ground will suit him better.
"The track is a little question mark - he's quite a big, gangly horse.
"We would be expecting a big run. If it isn't tomorrow, he will win sooner rather than later."
Additional reporting by Michael Graham