Yukon Lil and Richie Deegan© Photo Healy Racing
On his second day back in action after a horrible fall at Listowel, Richie Deegan helped Willie Mullins to a black-type Gowran double with Yukon Lil taking the Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mucklemeg Mares INH Flat Race.
With Yukon Lil's stable companion Queens Boulevard (13/8 out to 2/1 joint favourite) failing by some way to come up to expectations under Patrick Mullins, it was open to something else to grab the limelight.
Queens Boulevard eventually pulled up, whilst up front Yukon Lil (3/1 into 2/1 joint favourite) was looking good from a fair way out.
The maiden Elusive Belle finished off well, but the Sue Magnier owned victor was always holding on, the margin at the line being half a length.
In the recent past Deegan had a huge win for Mullins, on Tornado Flyer in the Grade One Racing Post Champion Bumper at Punchestown in April.
"She was a bit disappointing the last day at Killarney but Patrick just said to put a line through that and she'd have a right chance," said Deegan.
"Willie and Patrick said to ride her in the first four or five, and I saw Danny (Mullins) and Paul Townend a bit wide in the last race and they were first and second so I said I'd chance that.
"She's a real nice mare and it's great to get a winner in these colours."
Deegan broke his left arm (ulna) and was concussed in a fall at Listowel just over three weeks ago (September 12).
Meanwhile the other Mullins winner on the afternoon was the Paul Townend-ridden Good Thyne Tara in the Listed Pat Walsh Memorial Irish EBF Mares Hurdle.
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Queens Boulevard (GB), trained by W.P. Mullins, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
Mr P.W. Mullins, rider of Queens Boulevard (GB), trained by W.P. Mullins, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount stopped quickly.
(AM & EM)
