2nd from right Grangee and Patrick Mullins come with their bid© Photo Healy Racing
The Grade Three Weatherbys General Stud Book Irish EBF Mares INH Flat Race saw a Punchestown day two treble completed for Willie Mullins as son Patrick guided home Grangee (5/6 favourite) by seven lengths. Patrick now leads Jamie Codd by two in the race to be champion amateur (47 — 45).
Sixth in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham the Syndicates Racing owned Grangee here raced in mid-division, before making progress to chase the leaders three furlongs out.
Coming with her effort in second two furlongs out the successful daughter of Great Pretender led over a furlong out, keeping on strongly in the final furlong to beat Choice Of Words
“She stays very well. She’s so small but is very tough,” said Patrick Mullins.
“She was a fantastic buy by Jack Cantillon for just 25 grand. Stamina is her strong point. She’s not very quick but she stays very well.”
Following on from his Grade One wins earlier with Galopin Des Champs (Paul Townend) and Kilcruit (Derek O'Connor), and his five successes yesterday, Mullins senior commented on Grangee: “She’s a tough mare, she travelled twice to England and back, and still ends up with a smashing performance here.
“I’ll have a word now with Jack (Cantillon) to see where we go. I imagine we could go on jumping but she’s had a busy season. She’s earned a break I think.”
(AM & EM)
