Niall McCullagh recorded the biggest win of his career when partnering General Cloney to an all-the-way victory in the £50,000 Ulster Harp Derby at a well attended Down Royal yesterday. The Willie Mullins trained gelding responded gamely when challenged by Barba Papa a furlong out to prevail by three-quarters of a length. Favourite High King, 12 lengths adrift, was third.
McCullagh (30), whose wife Helen gave birth to their first child last Friday, currently has 15 wins for the season and is on target to beat his best tally of 30 last year.
Mullins said: "He is improving all the time, and we will go now for the £24,000 handicap on the Friday evening of the Galway Festival.
"I am looking forward to putting him over hurdles, and he could be a real Triumph Hurdle type," added the Carlow trainer. Evanilda performed outstandingly in the EBF Coolmore Stud Ulster Oaks Fillies Handicap, while Shane Kelly returned from a lengthy suspension in the best possible fashion when completing a double.
