Trainer Willie Mullins, who was recently crowned UK and 17-time Irish champion, started another jumps season off right today at Ballinrobe, where his horse Sorrentino (4/6f) won the Harrington Concrete & Quarries Bumper with great style.
On the second day of the new season, Mullins' first runner of the year was Supersundae, the winner of the previous race at Ballinrobe, while the trainer's son, Patrick Mullins, who is currently 16-times champion amateur jockey, skillfully guided the eager Sorrentino to a comfortable victory all the way.
Mullins junior said: “I'd say Ballylinch (Stud, owner/breeders) don't have many six-year-olds! He's obviously had a good bit of trouble - little niggly issues, nothing major, but sometimes when they get to his age they're stronger horses. I think he's only eighty per cent ready there and we weren't training him hard, as we just wanted to get him to the track. We took the very safety-first route (on the outer) there and it didn't matter. Obviously, with his pedigree (by New Bay) he could go back to the Flat so that's an option. I'd love for him to win a winners' bumper, we'll see what's there, and he has the size and scope to jump hurdles. There's lots of options but there's a big engine there if we can keep the chassis in one piece."