The Mull sticks at it to land hunters The hunters chase at Down Royal produced a thrilling finish with The Mull staying on best to land the spoils. Chris Cully's mount had made the running along with Mat Hill but had looked booked for third at the second last as Johnnyofcourse emerged as a threat to his front-running rival. The William McLernon-trained gelding stuck on doggedly to get back into contention at the final fence, however, and proved his stamina on the run to the line. The 14/1 shot got home by a length-and-three-quarters from Mat Hill with the well-backed Johnnyofcourse (7/2 in morning into 1/1f) only third. McLernon has "half a dozen" in training at his base near Dunboyne and trains the gelding for local owner Pat Macken. "He really enjoyed the big fences and galloping track today," said McLernon. "We were hopeful today as he's come up against some hotpots recently in point-to-points." Noel McParlan, rider of the runner-up, received a one-day whip ban for excessive frequency.
