Blackbow seals 89/1 four-timer for Mullins

Blackbow completed an 89/1 four-timer for champion trainer Willie Mullins on day one of the inaugural Dublin Racing Festival when taking the Goffs Future Stars INH Flat Race at Leopardstown.

Patrick Mullins set sail for home early in the straight as the Stowaway gelding quickened into a clear lead under two furlongs out.

However that advantage proved vital for the 11/4 chance as Rhinestone stayed on well inside the final furlong and there was just a length and a half between the pair at the line.

The pair stretched right away from their rivals with Brace Yourself all of 15 lengths further back in third.

A fine prospect - Blackbow is a cosy winner of the Grade 2 Goffs Future Stars Flat Race, the finale on day one of the inaugural Dublin Racing Festival @LeopardstownRC pic.twitter.com/37nQWECKt3

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) February 3, 2018

Mullins was also successful on the day with Min , Footpad and Patricks Park , and is now quoted at 5/4 by Paddy Power to retain his trainer's title with Gordon Elliott 8/13 (from 1/2).

Mullins said, "Patrick said he travelled very sweetly the whole way and thought he was idling in front in the last furlong. He has improved hugely from his last run and I'd imagine all roads lead across (to Cheltenham).

"He was bought in Aintree as an English point to point winner and is by the right horse in Stowaway, which we've been lucky with in Cheltenham. He is owned by the family of Archie O'Leary (Florida Pearl)."

Blackbow is generally 7/1 and now disputing favouritism for the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at Cheltenham.

(TW & AM)