Mullins and Transmission the perfect match for in-form Mulholland

Neil Mulholland saddled two runners at Cheltenham’s November meeting and left with two winners as Transmission followed up Double Powerful’s win on Friday under a terrific waiting ride from Patrick Mullins in the Steel Plate & Sections Ltd Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase.

Mulholland is enjoying a real purple patch at the moment – Double Powerful was winning his sixth race in succession – but Transmission had gone close at Cheltenham’s October fixture when second to Hyland.

The fact Nicky Henderson’s novice won on Friday’s card in better company boosted the form and saw Transmission sent off the 11-4 favourite, although coming down the hill he still had five in front of him.

Java Point hit the front at the second-last but when Mullins pulled his mount out, he quickened up to win by a length and a half.

“Patrick was absolutely brilliant on him, what an unbelievable ride. I’m really happy,” said Mulholland.

“He just crept away and he knows where the winning post is doesn’t he. He actually texted me for the ride. The entries were out Monday and he texted Monday afternoon.

“Paul (McKeon) the owner had Renegade with Willie (Mullins) who won the Cheltenham Bumper so they’ve got connections as well, but Paul is a great supporter of ours. When I told him Patrick had been on he said ‘say no more’.

“Maybe we can look at things like the National Hunt Chase long-term. That was the plan today. We wanted to give him a couple of runs here maybe with something like that in mind.

“He had course and distance form, he had a run under his belt and he had a top amateur so he had a lot going for him. We try to tick as many boxes as possible and it paid off.”