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Auckland gets there under a Mullins drive

Grey horse Auckland jumps the lastGrey horse Auckland jumps the last
© Healy Racing Photos

Auckland stormed home on the run-in of the opener at Killarney to nail The Folkes Tiara on the line.

The Folkes Tiara was nicely clear in the home straight of the 2m4f Broderick Plumbing Maiden Hurdle and a swift jump at the last saw him land two lengths clear of the closing Auckland and Perceval Legallois .

Auckland really picked the chase upon touching down, though, and was driven home by Danny Mullins to force a photograph.

The pair got the verdict by a short head at 5/1 from the 8/1 runner-up. Perceval Legallois, the 9/4 favourite, kept on in third a further length and a quarter away.

Trainer Tony Mullins said: "When Danny gets after him, he backs off and I think it's a lack of confidence. He did the same jumping the last two in Fairyhouse previously and was lucky he got up today. When he gets his jumping together I think he'll be a fair handicapper and he stays well.

"I'm not saying he is a champion but I think we haven't seen the best of him by any means yet. He is a fair horse and will be a good 2m4f handicap hurdler."

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes

About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.