Toll Stone ended a frustrating run of placed runners for trainer Emmet Mullins at Galway this week when taking the concluding Hop House 13 Handicap.

The Australia gelding was placed a number of times in maidens last year for Ken Condon and, after making a successful switch to hurdles earlier this year, was having his first start in a Flat handicap. Wrecking Ball Paul and Out On Friday ensured this 1m6f event was a truly run contest and Toll Stone made headway to lead over a furlong out.

Colin Keane ’s mount kept on well to hold off 13/8 favourite Mr Percy by a neck with a gap of six and a half lengths back to Out On Friday in third.

Mullins said, "I told Colin what I thought about the horse and left the tactics to him, I just gave him a bit of info on the horse.

“He said with 50 yards to go he thought he was going to get swamped but the horse pulled out a bit more and went to the line well.

“He has a great attitude. It was a big step up in trip but he enjoyed every bit of it.

“We'll see how he comes out of the race and fingers crossed he's none-the-worse.

“He's in tomorrow and Sunday and as long as he keeps staying sound he'll keep running. We'll let him bunk in here for the weekend and we'll play it by ear and see how he is in the morning.”

Quotes by Gary Carson