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Tom Weekes

Tom Weekes

Stilyker strikes for the Mullins machine

Tue 13th Jun 2023, 19:33

Stilyker and Kieran CallaghanStilyker and Kieran Callaghan
© Photo Healy Racing

Champion Trainer Willie Mullins' brilliant run of form continued with Stilyker s Sligo success today, landing the Michael Reynolds Handicap Hurdle under jockey Kieran Callaghan.

Stilyker was Mullins' lowest rated horse to run in 2022 - scoring from a mark of 92 at Tramore in June and today, rated 102, made all when defeating his fellow 11/4 co-favourites runner-up Staging Post and third-placed Alphonse Le Grande

Mullins has a 51% strike-rate this new season and following the 33rd winner, jockey Callaghan commented "I wasn't going to complicate it and making the running was the most straightforward thing to do.

"He was very keen with Jack (Foley) the last day, trying to settle him in behind horses. Today we knew he was fit coming here and, on that good ground, there was no point fighting him.

"I just let him roll away and jump away and he enjoyed himself. He had to pull out a bit more because there were horses coming to him and, in fairness, he stuck his head down and galloped well to the line.”

Eager for success, Callaghan added “it's a great time for conditionals with all these races and I'll keep trying to make the most of the chances I'm getting."

Quotes from Mark Nunan

1st
11/4Cfav
Tote €3.75 €1.80
2nd
1.75L
11/4Cfav
€1.40
3rd
6L
11/4Cfav
€1.40
4th
2.75L
50/1
About Tom Weekes
A lifelong racing fan, Tom began writing point to point reports in 2002 and has reported for irishracing.com since 2003, when he joined Irish Racing Services - since taken over by the Press Association. Has ridden a point to point winner and won the 2018 Irish Field Naps Table.