Mullins strikes on the flat in Cork

Champion National Hunt trainer Willie Mullins enjoyed a rare two-year-old winner as Blue Bullet made a successful debut in the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Maiden at Cork.

The juvenile is a half-brother to the smart Monsieur Chevalier, but was allowed to go off at 7-1 for this six-furlong test in rain-softened ground.

Gary Carroll coaxed his mount to the front inside the final furlong and although Scent Of Roses soon loomed up as a big danger, Blue Bullet fought her off professionally to score by a neck.

Carroll said: “He went well in a schooling race at Dundalk last Tuesday under Emmet McNamara.

“He broke well and travelled well and was very tough. He got headed but really stuck his head out – which I liked. He’s a great ride for a two-year-old – to come and do that first time out.”