PATRICK'S DAY ARRIVES EARLY

TWELVE months on from capturing the Triumph Hurdle with a 100-1 outsider, Willie Mullins struck again in the Friday curtain raiser, this time with a 50-1 shot ridden by his son Patrick.

- BY BRIAN FLANAGAN

Mullins saddled nine runners in the two mile contest, and it was un the unfancied Apolon De Charnie that stunned the Cheltenham crowd, finishing strongly to mug the well supported English pair of Maestro Conti (5-1) and Minella Study (7-1) in an absorbing race.

It was trainer Mullins' sixth winner of the week and was extra special as it was his amateur rider son Patrick's first time to win a Grade One race here over obstacles.

He joked afterwards: "Only 50-1 this year and not 100-1 - I'm so disappointed! At least I could stand in the stand and shout 'go on my son', which was the biggest thrill, to have Patrick riding it.