Patrick Mullins makes flying Newcastle visit worthwhile

Newcastle was the latest track Patrick Mullins ticked off on his tour of the UK as Armed And Fabulous ensured the trip was worthwhile.

The leading amateur rider is on a mission to ride a winner at every track in England, Scotland and Wales and took his tally up to 15 out of 41 on the 13-8 favourite.

Trained by Willie Mullins, the mare had to dig deep in the Shaklan Dubai Equine Products UK Mares’ Maiden Hurdle to see off My Kiwi Girl by two and a half lengths having tracked a wide path throughout.

“I just felt it was maybe fresher ground on the outside but then up the home straight the horse in front was jumping to the right so I had to switch to the inside which wasn’t ideal,” he told Sky Sports Racing.

“She’s been off for a long time but we had her pretty ready and she was tough.

“She was as ready as we could have her really, we weren’t coming over here for the Newcastle sunshine!

“She’ll probably jump a fence in time looking at the size of her but I’m just delighted for her owner Pete Davies and his son Rufus is here, she got an injury last time and he’s been very patient.

“She didn’t jump that great at the second last but that was probably the first time she’d raced down to a hurdle. I had to switch inside just before it so it probably looked worse than it felt.”

In recent weeks Mullins has ridden winners at Catterick, Wetherby and Carlisle.