FIFTEEN-times champion amateur jockey Patrick Mullins registered his 800th winner at Listowel on Monday, landing the concluding Eric Browne Memorial Bumper in unorthodox manner on his father Willie Mullins’ Luckinthecity (6/5 favourite).

Carrying the colours of owner/breeder Roger Brookhouse, Luckinthecity shied away from the tape at the start and whipped around, which meant the pair had to race in rear.

However Mullins made gradual progress on the outer in the home straight and eventually edged ahead of well-backed Big Dee in the closing stages, for a length-and-a-quarter success.

“I probably should have a few more winners, but the aim is to get to 1,000 so I have a more years to go,” Mullins reflected.

“We have had a huge amount of summer bumper fillies in this year and obviously with Jamie (Codd) taking the summer off it is a big help.”

Regarding Luckinthecity he said: “He just shied at the tape although doing a circle at the start was probably not a good idea! For luck nobody wanted to make the running so we were able to make up the ground quite easily.

“He showed a great turn of foot, which he doesn’t show at home. Obviously on grass he is better and the owner stands the stallion and he looks a nice type.”

Racing began with the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle, which was won in taking style by the Henry de Bromhead-trained, Rachael Blackmore-partnered Mayor’s Walk (5/1), for owner Stephen McCarthy.

Afterwards Blackmore reported: “She had done a nice bit of work at home but at this time of year they will always improve and she gave me a lovely feel. Her jumping is really good and professional and she was very straightforward for me.”

THE feature at Listowel on Monday was the Liam Healy Memorial Lartigue Hurdle which was narrowly won by well-backed Samui (4/1 favourite) for jockey Danny Gilligan, trainer Gordon Elliott and owner Allan Snow.

Held up in midfield, the son of Siyouni made progress entering the home straight, led after the last and scored by a head from Dark Note.

Elliott reported: “I was worried about the ground, which is yielding, but he went through it better than most. I was actually very nervous about my four runners due to the rain which came.

“Whatever happened he choked with Jack (Kennedy) the last day at Ballinrobe but it worked out today. I don’t think he is a winter horse but is definitely a type to head to Cheltenham in November. We might then put him away as he could also run on the flat next year.”

Extrapolation (6/1) added a Listowel festival success to prior wins at point-to-point, bumper and maiden hurdle level when landing the Kevin’s Bar/Exchange Inn Handicap Hurdle for local owners Michael and Joan Toomey.

The race was in the balance between the winner and early leader Moonovercloon until that rival fell at the final flight, leaving Extrapolation, under Danny Mullins, to score readily from Walk Out.

“Extrapolation has been terrific in a relatively short period of time,” said Richard O’Brien.

“I only have him since February and that’s his third win and it is a big deal for Michael and Joan (Toomey) who live in Adare. They were very anxious to have a runner this week and for this to work out as it has, is terrific.

“That two and a half miles suited him well and he might have enough done for now as he has had a lot of running done. He is entitled to a break and will jump a fence in time.”

OWNER Damien Dillon enjoyed the perfect day with his two horses, flying in to see both win along with successful trainer Gavin Cromwell, who also sent out a double at Fairyhouse.

The pair began by winning the Connollys Red Mills EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle with the Keith Donoghue-partnered Aeros Luck (3/1), which defeated 66/1 stablemate Pampar Lady by six lengths.

Cromwell commented: “Aeros Luck deserved that as he had been banging on the door. He was very keen the last day but is learning and settled lovely on the flat track today.”

Two races later Cromwell and Dillon doubled their scores in the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle with the King Of Prs (5/1), under jockey Paddy O’Brien.

Cromwell reported: “This is great for Damien who is involved in a few syndicates but owns these two horses (Aeros Luck and The King Of Prs) on his own. It initially started as a joke but this horse gets his name from the ‘King of the Private Rental Sector’.

“It is great to get two winners at a festival with two cheap horses (€7,000 and €6,500 respectively) and this is a fine horse but wasn’t by a fashionable stallion.”

Matthew and James Smith were out of luck when Moonovercloon fell at the last earlier on the card but they bounced back in the following race, the John F. McGuire Handicap Hurdle with Cozone (25/1) routing his rivals for a first hurdle success.

“I thought he’d hate the ground but he kept good and wide” said Smith senior.

“He is tricky and normally when he gets his head in front he pulls up and even in Dundalk there have been races he could have won but stopped. He has plenty of ability though and has had a few good runs over hurdles.

“It was brilliant and I’m delighted for the five lads (Spoonful Of Irish Syndicate, from Slane) who love their racing and a few of them are down for the week.”

“James is riding well and is going to Jonjo O’Neill’s full-time next week. He is a bit of a loss to me but he is riding well - he was unlucky in the last race and hopefully will get more opportunities over there.”