IN THE FRAME

Another record for jockey Patrick

PATRICK Mullins re-wrote the history books, again, when scoring on odds-on favourite Queens Boulverad in the yesterday’s bumper in Sligo.

The ten-times amateur champion equalled Ted Walsh’s long-standing record for the number of winners ridden by an amateur when he triumphed on Irish Lass in Limerick on Saturday.

And he broke the record yesterday when 4/7 shot Queen Boulevard made a successful debut in the

Blind Tiger Flat Race, putting

Mullins on the 546 winner mark over his 12-year career.

Typically Mullins pointed to the influence of his grand-parents and parents in his career, quipping: “After all, I’m riding for Willie Mullins,” before explaining: “My father rode until he was 40, so who knows, it would be great to reach a thousand.”

Queens Boulevard was the second leg of a Sligo double for Willie Mullins, initiated by Cool Collonade in the opener.

And Cool Colonnade, in turn, initiated a double for his rider Paul Townend, also successful on Padraic O’conaire.

Meanwhile, in Killarney, where John Oxx secured a big-priced double, Dermot Weld’s lightly-raced filly Bella Estrella (Declan Mcdonogh) bagged the listed Cairn Rouge Stakes on the opening day of the track’s first five-day July Meeting.

The Ballylinch Stud-owned filly held Hence by a neck to give Weld (inset) the first leg of a double, completed by newcomer Highdive (Leigh Roche) in the later maiden.

Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning, on the mark with Dawn Hoofer in yesterday’s finale, might continue where they left off with the highly-tried Scriobh Nua in the Ladbrokes Irish EBF Race which opens this evening’s mixed card.

Unplaced in the Irish 1,000 Guineas on only her second start, this filly then won her maiden at Leopardstown and, last time, finished fourth to Easter Lily in the listed Naas Oaks Trial over a mile and a quarter.

The highest-rated of the five runners, dropping back in trip and receiving weight from her rivals, Scriobh Nua should prove very tough to beat.

Similarly, Patrick and Willie Mullins will be expected to land the bumper with Diamond Hill, successful on her debut in Kilbeggan last summer. She sets a decent standard.

And Macgiloney, winner of two bumpers for Denis Hogan should make a winning start over hurdles in the Boost Bets With Ladbrokes App Maiden Hurdle.