Jim Goldie praises Paul Mulrennan for 'master ride' on Alpine Sierra after pair combine for 118-1 double

Long-standing allies Jim Goldie and Paul Mulrennan combined for a 118-1 double courtesy of Midnight Lion and Alpine Sierra.

The pair enjoyed some of their finest moments with popular stalwart Euchen Glen in recent years and, while that horse has recently been retired, the combination continue to bang in the winners.

Their latest victories came in the first and second division of the 1m2f handicap, and while Midnight Lion's success came as a surprise, Goldie said Alpine Sierra's win was thanks to Mulrennan's execution of a tricky plan.  

"We were hoping Midnight Lion would run like that as Paul had won on him over the course and distance," said the trainer after the four-year-old made a winning stable debut. 

"He developed a sinus problem and he's been on antibiotics so we were a bit negative about his chances. Fortunately he won, but he probably needs a tooth out, so it was quite impressive."

On Alpine Sierra, Goldie said: "He's a good-looking, big horse who doesn't relax. We decided to step him up in trip and make sure he settled and those were Paul's instructions. It took him four furlongs to get him switched off. It was a master ride, but it wasn't by accident."

Approval survives inquiry

Royal Approval did his best to throw the 1m2f novice away by drifting across the track and impeding runner-up Stifling, but the Andrew Balding-trained three-year-old kept the race after a stewards' inquiry. His rider Jason Watson was suspended for two days for careless riding.

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