Poignant win for Policeman in Michael O’Sullivan Chase Mister Policeman (7/2) was an appropriate winner of Cork’s Grade 3 Michael O'Sullivan Chase today, with members of the late local jockey’s family in attendance and brother Alan having two rides on the card. Mister Policeman was the opening leg winner of O’Sullivan’s first career treble at today’s corresponding fixture in 2023, when the chesnut also provided him with a first winner for champion trainer Willie Mullins. Mullins’ stable jockey Paul Townend was at Fairyhouse today, with jockey JJ Slevin filling in on the seven-year-old, who raced behind stablemate Asterion Forlonge and Fil Dor for much of the race. Asterion Forlonge looked held when exiting at the second-last, with the winner improving to lead before the final fence, and quickened to smartly beat Fil Dor by seven lengths. Mister Policeman was amongst five winners for dominant Mullins today, and Slevin reported “it is nice to win a race named in memory of Michael O’Sullivan and Janna (Walsh), who led him up, is Michael’s cousin. This horse was his also Michael's first winner for Willie.” He added “Willie said to ride him for speed as he thought he was a quick horse so I had one go at them and he just came alive. It was only a matter of getting over the last fence and he was very impressive. The minute I got my leg into him, it was all over. “He obviously won his first few races quite well but was pulled up in a Galway Plate, and another time, but might be back on track now. He isn’t slow and I ‘d say wouldn’t mind coming back in trip either. “This is my first ride in these (Rich Ricci) colours and it is great to be asked to ride for these people. Any time jockeys put on those colours you have a chance and fair play to Closutton for putting me up.”
