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Gary Carson

Gary Carson

Fragile El Barra impresses on return

Thu 19th Nov 2020, 16:18

El Barra  ands Patrick MullinsEl Barra ands Patrick Mullins
© Photo Healy Racing

El Barra looked a very smart prospect when returning from a long absence to run out a facile winner of the concluding bumper at Thurles this afternoon.

The French-bred gelding had been second in his sole point-to-point start, behind dual Grade 2 winner Fury Road, at Dromahane back in May 2018.

He had cost £280,000 at the sales subsequently and was making his first outing today for Willie Mullins and Rich Ricci.

Patrick Mullins bounced out in front on the 4/7 shot and he was only briefly headed at halfway.

The six-year-old had his rivals at work early in the straight and didn't come off the bridle to record a five-and-a-half length success over Fourneux D'isanka

Patrick Mullins said:- "It was a long wait for Richie as he was fragile and when I was going out I was at pains not to come off the bridle which wasn't very difficult!

"We thought he was a very good horse pre-Christmas 2018 and we haven't been able to keep him right since but we got him here having minded him at home so I think there is a lot more improvement in him, if he can keep in one piece.

"To me whatever he did, there is huge improvement."

(Quotes by Tom Weekes)

About Gary Carson
Gary started out as a trainee/assistant journalist with the Sporting Life newspaper and has worked in the racing industry for over 25 years. He has been with the Press Association since 2013 and won the Irish Field Nap Table in 2016. He enjoys working with horses and trained his own horse, Mamaslittlestar, to win a point-to-point in 2019.