Mullins scores seventh Galway Festival win

Willie Mullins registered a seventh Galway Festival win today as Valyssa Monterg led home a 1-2, of reserves, for the Champion Jumps Trainer in the featured Grade C Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle.

Second reserve Valyssa Monterg was produced under a typically patient Walsh ride to lead after the last and beat stablemate, and third reserve, Argentino by two and three parts of a length.

Mullins' amazing assault on this year's Festival currently has him Leading Trainer on points (leads Dermot Weld 48-45) but with seven wins, is well clear of Tony Martin (four wins) and Dermot Weld, Henry De Bromhead, Jessica Harrington and David Wachman (three each).

Mullins later stated “it was a nice surprise as I was a afraid the ground may be too soft but with Ruby coming wide maybe he found nicer ground.

“Ruby felt she was far happier when he got out of the bunch as when she was on the inside he felt she wasn't racing.

“I was also delighted with Argentino - it was a chance spare ride for Mikey Fogarty and I never saw him jump as well. Both of them will improve and we'll look to the next festival whether that's at Killarney or Listowel.

“We could try Valyssa Monterg on the Flat at some stage.”

“It's been a fantastic week and way beyond what I had hoped - I was just hoping I might get a winner or two!”

The defections of My Direction and Jarob, both 'change in going', and Mullins' Wood Breizh (lame) made way for Mullins' reserves to run in the race.

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson