Patrick Mullins becomes first amateur jockey to win Aintree Bowl

Patrick Mullins became the first amateur jockey to win the Grade One Brooklands Golden Miller Chronograph Bowl Chase when partnering Gaelic Warrior (11-4), trained by his father Willie, to an impressive three-length success over Grey Dawning (9-4 Favourite).

Remarkably, it was Mullins’ first ride over the Mildmay Course at Aintree.

Patrick Mullins said: “It’s the first time I’ve got to ride around the chase track here. It was a pleasant surprise when I was allowed to ride him because Paul (Townend) chose to ride Embassy Gardens. He settled fantastic and jumped really well and pretty straight. We thought he’d stay because he won over three miles as a novice hurdler, but you don’t really know until you try it in open class.

“My only problem was after two furlongs I had Ahoy Senor in front of me, and he was the one horse I didn’t want in front of me, so we were kind of in and out to get away from him a bit and then we went by him passing the stands so I could ride a race. He’s fallen asleep on me a couple of times and I’ve had to hop around on him a couple of times to get him to wake up.

“He’s just a very good horse. Over three miles that ground was fine, but over two miles he’s just not fast enough for top-class races. He’s versatile.”.

Willie Mullins said: “It’s great that Patrick got on him. I thought Paul would ride him, but he chose Embassy Gardens.

“His main target was to get him round in one piece, and then if he was able to do that we all know he has the class. I’d been a little disappointed in his two previous runs, when he just didn’t fire, but he’d run well enough at Leopardstown and we thought he’d be better for it, but then he just wasn’t right for Cheltenham.

“I thought if I didn’t run him here I’d have to wait until Punchestown, so I thought we may as well run him here to get a race into him anyhow, so he’s done a bit more than that. I don’t think Patrick needs any confidence before Saturday, when he rides Nick Rockett, but it’s great for him to have a big success, and it’s great too for the Riccis, who have had a tough season, although they had a winner at Cheltenham with Lossiemouth."