18+ | Commercial Content | T&Cs apply | Wagering and T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly | Advertising Disclosure
icon
Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Valerian Bridge fights hard to take bumper

Sun 31st Aug 2014, 18:09

Valerian Bridge, left, beats Behana into second at CorkValerian Bridge, left, beats Behana into second at Cork
© Photo Healy Racing

Valerian Bridge went off at 1/2 for his debut in Cork’s bumper, however he was given a serious scare before winning for Willie and Patrick Mullins. Behana hit the front two out and quickly appeared to have the ‘jolly’ in trouble as she wasn’t stopping in the final furlong. Patrick Mullins knuckled down and got vigorous on Valerian Bridge who to his credit fought back and got up approaching the line to win by a length and a quarter.

Behana finished second at 8/1. She was four lengths in front of Bon Chic (12/1).

Patrick Mullins said: “The dam (Screaming Witness) was my first ride. Myself and Emmet (Mullins) decided to keep the mare and this is her second foal. I thought he would win a bit easier, but I was probably a bit over confident early in the straight on him.

“I’d be disappointed if he wasn’t better than this and he’s a good ground horse. Hopefully he’ll win plenty of races on good ground.”

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes

About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.