Al Arrivee much too good for Sligo rivals Despite a late market drift (4/9 to 4/5f), Al Arrivee easily accounted for 14 rivals in the concluding Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race. Trained by Willie Mullins, owned by his wife Jackie and ridden by their son Patrick, the French bred chestnut was beaten into second when sent off favourite on debut at Galway in October. Tracking the leaders this evening, the Tunis five-year-old came with her challenge between horses approaching the straight and eased to the front from the furlong pole, readily stretching clear from there to score by four-and-a-quarter lengths. Well-supported from 16s early into a starting price of 4/1, Soldierstown filled the runner-up spot under Dara McGill for Peter Buchanan, while the front-running Mercurial Sea (40/1) was half-a-length away in third. "We think a lot of her. We were very disappointed when she got beaten the first day. Willie gave her a bit of time and she has improved," the winning rider disclosed. "She probably wants softer ground, being Al Boum Photo's half-sister. She's quite valuable and I think my mother has her eye on her for breeding. It was important to get the win today. "We got a few bumps (the first day) and she's not big. We're hoping she's a black-type mare and she's well up to winning a winners' bumper." STEWARDS REPORTS * Mr J.L. Gleeson, rider of Irish Music (FR), trained by J.P.Dempsey, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount raced too freely. * Mr O.T. Gilligan, rider of Goodgollymissholly, trained by Paul John Gilligan, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount pulled up having lost his action. * T.J. Nagle Jr., trainer of Miss Blanco, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his charge gurgled in running. Additional reporting by Gary Carson
