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Gary Carson

Gary Carson

Popcorn claims Thurles opener

Thu 17th Nov 2011, 12:58

Popcorn proved too strong for Rathlin as the two fought out the finish of the opening beginners chase at Thurles.

The pair moved on from front-runner Sizing Santiago four from home and were upsides jumping the second last.

11/4 shot Popcorn got the cleaner jump at the final fence, under Patrick Mullins, and powered home to the line to record a five-and-a-half length victory.

The runner-up was the one for money (7/4 into 11/8) but failed to jump with fluency and had to settle for second best.

The winner had been successful over hurdles here last season and was making a perfect start to his chasing career.

Trainer Willie Mullins had recorded three victories at Fairyhouse yesterday and was saddling his fourth winner in a row here:-

"Patrick said he could be the type for the four-miler at Cheltenham. He's a very natural jumper and you wouldn't mind sending him anywhere.

"After today he could even do something over a shorter trip."

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.