Seamus Mullins had more than one reason to celebrate the victory of Roko George, who provided him with the 500th domestic jumps winner of his career in the Exeter On Haldon Hill Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race.

The Shirocco gelding went one better than on his racecourse debut at Wincanton 36 days ago when getting the better of odds-on favourite Top Of The Bill by a neck to give Mullins, who is the former president of the National Trainers Federation, the landmark success.

The Wilsford Stables handler said: Thats my 500th domestic jumps winner. Ive had one winner in Jersey and 18 on the Flat.

I didn't realise we were that near until my son was totting up.

I'm a jumps man through and through and I cherish the jumps. Ive been a long time at it as I took my license out in 1991 but we got there eventually.

We've had some good ones like The Land Agent and Kentford Grebe, and more recently I suppose Chesterfield winning the Scottish Champion Hurdle would be one of the best.

An outing in the Grade Two Weatherbys Racing Bank Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race at Aintree could now be on the cards for Roko George, should conditions be suitable.

Of the 17-2 winner he added:

"He is still raw but he is a nice horse for the future over fences. He is owned by a lovely group of lads and it is their first time in a racehorse.

It's a shame they are not here to enjoy it. I wouldn't be ruling him out of going to Aintree but I need to talk to the lads.

If owners are back on track and if there is proper jumping ground and the two marry together we might go somewhere.