IT was a pity that crowd numbers were restricted for last week’s Balmoral Show as, on the Thursday, there was an excellent winner of the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association racehorse to riding horse class in Woodland Opera, and an equally excellent ride judge in multiple champion amateur, Patrick Mullins.

“Even if he is my son, I think Patrick is doing a great job in there,” said Willie Mullins who, along with wife Jackie, travelled up to Balmoral Park to watch this popular class.