3 minute read
Willie Mullins registered a third SBK Yorkshire Rose Mares' Hurdle courtesy of a fine performance from Ashroe Diamond.
Mullins looked to hold all the aces to the Grade 2 prize with both the eventual winner Ashroe Diamond and stablemate Gala Marceau leading the way at the head of the market.
It was Grade 1 Gala Marceau that punters latched onto, and she was sent off the 10/11 market leader to follow up the likes of superstar mare Annie Power and Vroum Vroum Mag.
However, it would be the 7/4 chance Ashroe Diamond that would give Mullins his third success in the Town Moor feature, with the Fairyhouse Grade 1 winner running on strongly to beat Nicky Henderson's Under Control by two and a half lengths in the hands of son Patrick Mullins.
Patrick Mullins, who was riding his first ever winner at Doncaster, said: "What more could you ask for? I think my mare's form with Facile Vega and Marine Nationale is the best mares' form out there," said Mullins junior, riding his first ever winner at Doncaster.
"She has a high cruising speed and she settled great today, she's normally quite keen and you have to get a bit of cover with her.
"She's always a brilliant jumper and she can often run a bit keen, but she has form against top geldings last year and I always rate that above juvenile form – that's a restricted division."
Ashroe Diamond was cut to 7/2 from 6/1 by Paddy Power for the Mares' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March and Mullins certainly seemed keen to keep the partnership.
He added: "Her pedigree suggests she can go further, but it's two and a half miles in the mares' race in March and that will be no problem to her.
"We won't know until Cheltenham, but I'd love to ride her there."