Mullins the boss at Ballybrit For the first time since 1997 when Aidan O'Brien was leading trainer at the Galway festival, a handler other than Dermot Weld topped the pile at Ballybrit. Willie Mullins bossed the summer festival 2016 picking up the Chanelle Plate and a prize of 3,800 Euros. Scored on a points system (1st - 5pts, 2nd - 3 pts and 3rd - 1pt), Mullins finished up with nine winners over the seven days, and his placings helped him to a points total of 58. Runner-up Dermot Weld accrued a 54 point haul which chiefly came through his six winners. Weld receives 1,200 Euros for second place. Ruby Walsh (7 winners) was the top National Hunt rider, and Pat Smullen (6 winners) the top Flat jockey. Meanwhile locally based trainer Stephen Mahon hit the cross-bar more than once out on the track with four second placers. However, the stable's achievement in sending out the most best-turned out horses (five in total) merited an award at the marathon meeting's conclusion on Sunday. (AM & EM)
