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John O'Riordan

John O'Riordan

Mullins has all the Aces in Punchestown finale

Sun 11th Jun 2023, 17:49

Four Clean Aces maintained her unbeaten record with Punchestown success. Four Clean Aces maintained her unbeaten record with Punchestown success.
© Photo Healy Racing

Trainer Willie Mullins completed a first and last race double, when Four Clean Aces made it two from two in the concluding Irish Stallion Mares EBF Mares(Pro/Am) INH Flat Race at Punchestown.

A winner on her racecourse debut at Tipperary in April, the daughter of Saint Des Saints was sent off a short priced 2-5f favourite to keep her perfect record intact here.

Always travelling well in the hands of Patrick Mullins, the five-year-old was sent for home early in the straight, quickening up stylishly to go five lengths clear of her field.

“She was very good. It wasn't the plan to make the running but no-one wanted to go on,” said Patrick Mullins.

“She won over two-and-a-half so I let her go on. The Slattery horse was annoying us all the way, sitting on my boot, so she was very good not to let that get to her.

“She quickened up, it's hard for a mare to win with a penalty and she's not over-big but she has an engine.

“She has a lovely pedigree and it's a Flat pedigree. Even though she won over two-and-a-half the first day I think she could run on the Flat in time. I don't know what the plan will be.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson

About John O'Riordan
John has worked for the Press Association since 2022. He also writes a weekly column for The Irish Field and is a regular contributor to the Irish Racing Yearbook. He has previously written for the Racing Post, Irish Examiner and Irish Daily Mirror. He has been involved in racing for over three decades; having experience as a syndicate member, sole owner and breeder.