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Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
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- Roi brings up Tipp double for Patrick Mullins
Roi brings up Tipp double for Patrick Mullins
Roi Des Francs (Patrick Mullins) keeps up the gallop from Gaius Marius and Nina Carberry
© Photo Healy Racing
Patrick Mullins (earlier a winner on Perfect Gentleman matched his father Willie's achievement of a Tipperary double when he rode the Season Finale INH Flat Race winner, Roi Des Francs for his uncle Tony.
It's getting on for a year now since the Poliglote gelding filled the third spot in a Ballinaboola point-to-point having placed in a Killarney bumper in the May prior to that.
Anyway Tony Mullins' patience with the French-bred began to be rewarded here as he led seven furlongs out having been a bit keen early and kept wide.
Roi Des Francs was still travelling well in the straight and what he produced for pressure was more than good enough as the 5/2 shot went on to see off Gaius Marius by three lengths.
Charles Byrnes' well-backed newcomer, Paper Lantern 2/1 favourite, finished last.
Patrick Mullins said: "He's a grand horse but he was very weak and Tony did the right thing and took his time with him.
"He's not a bumper horse and he's more of a chaser. I'm sure he'll probably go hurdling first.
"Two and a half or three miles over fences and he should win plenty of races." (TW & EM)