Red letter day for Patrick Mullins on rare Catterick visit as he keeps hopes of title alive

Patrick Mullins loves setting himself new challenges and in riding his first winner at Catterick on Jarrive De Mee, he ticked another course off on his quest to complete a full British set.

While he is well aware the task is going to prove a stiff one, he is also humble enough to realise that he is in a very privileged position. As the son and assistant trainer of the all-conquering Willie Mullins, Patrick can cherry pick horses he thinks will be suited to certain tracks and attempt to persuade his father to let them run. But he does not always get his own way.

Despite having well over 200 horses at their Closutton base, surprisingly few will fit the requirements for the likes of Perth, Ludlow and Wincanton for midweek action across the Irish Sea.

He would love to be champion amateur in the UK too, to emulate his father who is currently champion in both jurisdictions, but believes his main rival Alex Chadwick already has too much of an advantage.

Jarrive De Mee had won in Patrick's own colours at Thurles last time out, form which had been subsequently franked, so it was no surprise to see him sent off the 2-5 favourite in the Go Racing In Yorkshire Season Ticket Novices' Hurdle.

However, two out it looked like being another fruitless trip to Catterick for Mullins, just like his only previous visit, when Gentleman Bill took up the running.

Searching for the better ground tight to the rail, though, Mullins brought his mount back level at the last and he went away to win by three and a half lengths.

"He jumped right most of the way so he was giving ground away," said Mullins.

"He's probably done well considering that. We came here for the better ground and we'd call that yielding. He's tough, he got headed at Thurles as well.

"We'll