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Gary Carson

Gary Carson

Mullins doubles up with Orion

Thu 13th Sep 2018, 17:44

Orion d'AubrelleOrion d'Aubrelle
© Photo Healy Racing

Willie Mullins completed a quick double at Listowel this afternoon when Orion d'Aubrelle claimed the Kevin McManus Beginners Chase.

The five-year-old was held up in mid-division in the two-mile six-furlong contest and was slightly untidy when trying to make ground up three from home.

Paul Townend was rowing along on the 8/1 shot turning for home but he picked up strongly to jump into the lead two from home. Its All Guesswork tried to chase him down on the run-in but the Mullins horse had enough up his sleeve to record a length-and-a-quarter success.

Mullins said:- “Paul found himself in a pocket the whole race as he thought they were going to go much faster but they didn’t go a good gallop. When he switched out the horse seemed to find another gear.

“He’s improved and hopefully can go on from here and win a few more chases. He’s got a lovely pedigree.

“Last year he wouldn’t do anything for us on soft ground, and we have done a few things differently with him this season which seems to be paying off. He probably wants a longer trip.

“John Coleman was a good patron of ours who died recently and that’s the first winner we have trained for his wife Joanne who has taken over the colours. Hopefully it’s the start of a good season as they have a few nice young horses with us.”

Mullins had also struck on the Flat in the preceding race with easy 1/6 winner Exchange Rate

(Quotes by Alan Magee)

About Gary Carson
Gary started out as a trainee/assistant journalist with the Sporting Life newspaper and has worked in the racing industry for over 25 years. He has been with the Press Association since 2013 and won the Irish Field Nap Table in 2016. He enjoys working with horses and trained his own horse, Mamaslittlestar, to win a point-to-point in 2019.