Mullins grabs Gowran feature

DANNY MULLINS added to his growing reputation at Gowran Park last night when winning the feature Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap on 7 to 1 shot Filista for trainer Jim Bolger.

The up-and-coming apprentice, who doubled up on Our Nana Rose (10 to 1) for Pat Martin in the Clashwilliam Handicap, raced the Aptitude filly in rear but made progress on the outer approaching straight and under a strong drive, Filista ran on strongly inside the final furlong to win by one-and-a-quarter lengths.

After a string of near misses, Worldly Wise bagged an overdue win and in the process continued the excellent run of trainer Pat Flynn.

The six-year-old was sent off at 5 to 1 under Danny Grant for the Golf Open Week At Gowran Park Handicap, and asserted late on to beat 5 to 2 market leader Separate Ways by a length and a quarter.

It was a first win since a triumph over this course and distance in October 2007 for the Namid gelding, who was beaten a short head at Leopardstown last month.

Flynn said: “That was great, we were hoping he’d win. We were a little worried about the ground but he’s a strong old horse and he handled it well. We were disappointed he didn’t get into the McDonogh Handicap at Galway. He deserved to win this as he has been consistent all year. We will probably go for another handicap next.”

Joshua Tree (13 to 8 favourite) proved a willing partner for Johnny Murtagh in making a winning debut in the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Maiden. The Montjeu colt looked vulnerable when Book Of Numbers threw down a challenge and then Saajidah came there strongest of all. But Murtagh galvanised his mount on the rails and got the verdict by a short head right on the line.

The maiden form of Cheval Rouge entitled her to be thereabouts in the Open Singles Every Thursday At Gowran Park Nursery Handicap, and so it proved as the Harry Rogers-trained filly came home a comfortable two-length winner from Musical Rain.

Another claimer to catch the eye was Shane Gorey, who delivered a great ride in the the Bramblestown Maiden on 9 to 2 shot Middle Persia for Dermot Weld.

Gorey was always prominent on the Dalakhani filly and took it up entering straight. He was joined by 11 to 10 favourite Alakan, under Michael Kinane, a furlong out but Middle Persia kept on strongly to win by a short head.

Lady O’Reilly’s racing manager James Kelly said afterwards: “It was great to win with her. She is a very well bred filly; her dam is a half sister to Invincible Spirit. We will look for another handicap for her now.”

Meanwhile at Sligo, White And Red, a course and distance winner last year, took the Foley’s Bar and Off Licence Handicap in fine style. Padraig Beggy sent his mount on over a furlong out and she powered clear for a five-and-a-half length success. “She deserved that,” said trainer Caroline Hutchinson.