Old Ground 'one to look forward to' Colreevy's half-sister Old Ground stretched right away from the field to make a winning debut for Willie Mullins in the mares' bumper at Clonmel. The well supported 4/11 favourite wasn't on the bridle the whole way but, when the penny dropped, she motored into contention in the final quarter of a mile. The five-year-old mare surged past Noble Annys approaching the final furlong and the race was soon over. She drew 11 lengths clear of Pipers Boreen (25/1) and Colleen Danu (15/2) who came in second and third respectively, in a different parish to the winner. Jockey Patrick Mullins said: "She has a fabulous pedigree and the Flynns are super breeders. We thought she would do that on what she was doing at home and she was very good. "She fell asleep with me in the middle of the race and got very behind the bridle but that's not a bad thing. At home she travels away but even when I got up on her here in the parade ring, it took a while to get up on her. Colreevy was the same so that mightn't be a bad thing. "We'll see what we'll do now whether we give her a break or go for a winners' bumper. She has a lot of ability and is definitely one to look forward to, in summer or winter. "It's nice to get off the mark for the season as I missed a winner last week but am now level with Jody (Townend, in the Amateur Jockeys' Championship)!" The Raceday Stewards interviewed Miss M. O'Sullivan, rider of Colleen Danu, trained by P.A.Fahy, concerning her riding in the closing stages where she appeared to ease her mount prematurely losing second place as a result. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who stated that she mistook the 50 yard marker for the winning post. Having viewed the recording and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that Miss. M. O' Sullivan was in breach of R212 A (iv) by easing her mount without good reason and having considered her record in this regard they suspended her for five racedays. Additional reporting by Tom Weekes
