Mullins hails extraordinary runner-up
PATRICK MULLINS yesterday reflected on Pleasant Company’s ‘extraordinary’ late charge to grab second place to Tiger Roll in Saturday’s Grand National at Aintree. It took a photo finish to separate the two horses, with Elliott’s charge prevailing by a head from the Willie Mullins runner. Pleasant Company was ridden by the trainer’s nephew David Mullins, who claimed National glory aboard Rule The World in 2016. Patrick, who is assistant to his father, said: ‘Pleasant Company ran an extraordinary race. He jumped fantastically all the way. He looked like he might not even be second jumping the last and then he ran on incredibly well to the line. ‘All the way up the runin I thought he wasn’t going to get there and then right on the line I thought we had a shout. ‘It wasn’t to be, but he ran a fantastic race and he’s 100 per cent this morning.’ The finish was symbolic of the battle between the Elliott and Mullins for the trainer’s title here, which will be decided at the Punchestown Festival next week, though Elliott has a significant lead. Elliott was in a similar position this time last year before a late Mullins winning spree at Punchestown helped him retain his crown and the Closutton camp will be hoping for something similar later this month. Mullins added: ‘Gordon is having a fantastic season. We’ll roll on to Punchestown now and try to beat him there.’ Elliott and Mullins were responsible for the first three home as Elliott’s Bless The Wings came in third, and the Tony Martin-trained Anibale Fly completed a clean sweep for Ireland by filling fourth place. Third in the Cheltenham Cup, the eight-year-old covered himself in glory off his big weight of 11st 8lb for owner JP McManus. ‘You couldn’t be happier with him,’ said McManus’ racing manager Frank Berry. ‘We’ll see how he is before we make any decision about Punchestown.’ Milansbar was the first British-trained horse home in fifth under Bryony Frost, who fared best of the women riders. Katie Walsh and Baie Des Iles were 12th and last to finish after being hampered, while Rachael Blackmore’s mount, Alpha Des Obeaux, fell. Frost reflected with pride on her first attempt at the race. ‘It was a proud moment,’ she said. ‘There were a lot of people in tears when we brought him back into the unsaddling enclosure and rightly so, because it’s a race that allows you to ask so much of your horse and he gives everything for you.’