Aminabad beats Off The Mark in Limerick© Photo Healy Racing
Aminabad overturned his form behind Off The Mark as he beat that rival by a length in Limerick, as the pair pulled well clear in the bumper.
The Singspiel four-year-old, trained by Willie Mullins, moved smoothly into fourth place with three furlongs to run. He challenged for the lead at the ‘2’ pole and got on top with a furlong to go. Off The Mark was creeping into the race from rear and tracked the winner from a furlong out. He was unable to reel him in and had to settle for second.
Aminabad was the 7/4 favourite today though the money came for Off The Mark who was backed down to 2/1 from 11/4 at the track. What Lies Ahead for Willie McCreery and Jane Mangan, finished third another 11 lengths away at 11/2. West Montan travelled strongly into the race, but his effort petered out inside the final quarter mile as he took fifth.
Winning rider Patrick Mullins said: “We felt he blew up the last day. Obviously he was 10lb better off, but he’s such a small horse and we didn’t do enough work with him before the last day.
“We worked him harder and it has paid off. He’ll be a lovely dual-purpose horse for the flat and hurdles. He’s not big enough to go chasing. Dad is back from Dubai tomorrow.”
Off The Mark had won a Leopardstown bumper at the start of the month. This was a race in which Aminabad finished fourth.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
