Terrific 191/1 day four treble for Emmet Mullins
Donagh Meyler on Sea Music (left) holds off JJ Slevin on Blizard of Oz to win The QuinnBet Novice Handicap Steeplechase (Listed) Photos: INPHO/Morgan Treacy
Whilst his uncle Willie might have stolen the show with a brilliant Grade 1 double, Emmet Mullins also had a day four Punchestown Festival to remember with a terrific 191/1 treble at the County Kildare track.
The Carlow trainer got the ball rolling in the second race – the Event Power Champions Hunter Chase – where Its On The Line (10/11) put the disappointment of Cheltenham defeat behind him with a gutsy performance to land the spoils.
With Olive Nicholls going hell for leather from the off aboard Viroflay, it looked as if the JP McManus horse could be in a bit of trouble as he was niggled along after the fifth last, but he gradually closed in the leader to keep on well from before the final fence.
“He’s a great horse to bring here every year,” admitted Mullins. “He turns up at these big spring festivals, and we owe him a lot. Derek said it burned off most going away from the stands in a true run race. It was a matter of not getting there too soon, as he doesn’t do much in front. It’s great that he holds a little back and fingers crossed there’s plenty left in him.”
Donagh Meyler made it to the track just about on time to partner Sea Music (28/1) to success in a thrilling finish to the QuinnBet Novice Handicap Chase as Emmet got the better of the Willie trained Blizzard Of Oz by a head.
After missing the ride in the race beforehand on Broomfield Bijou due to a delay in traffic getting to the course, Meyler delivered a power-packed ride to secure a narrow success to deny the well-backed 4/1 favourite.
“I did fancy Sea Music,” proclaimed his trainer after the race. “He has been going well and was unlucky the last day when he shot Donagh out of the saddle. Fingers crossed, now all roads will lead to Galway.”
The hat-trick of wins for Emmet Mullins came in the concluding Overlander Bumper as the well-backed Soldier In Milan for owner Paul Byrne duly obliged in the hands of County Waterford jockey John Gleeson.
Backed from 4/1 into 5/2 second-favourite before the off, the six-year-old, who was a point-to-point winner at Monksgrange, was a close second at halfway and when he took up the running inside the final furlong, he pulled clear for a four-and-three-quarter length win over King Rasko Grey, who was also trained by Willie Mullins.
“He’s an exciting horse, admitted Emmet afterwards. “I always thought a lot of him but he’s a big unit, so I was terrified of the ground. He’s an exciting horse for next season with a cut in the ground and should have a big future ahead of him.”
