LADBROKES CHAMPION STAYERS HURDLE (GRADE 1)

A SPELL in the wilderness came to an end in memorable style for Unowhatimeanharry who rolled back the years to win the third day feature for the second time and continue a good meeting for the English contingent.

Two years ago the Harry Fry inmate edged out Nichols Canyon in a titanic finish to this prize but that was to be his last Grade 1 victory until now. In the intervening period the 11-year-old had won twice but heavy defeats in the Cleeve Hurdle and at Aintree on his last two starts suggested that this J.P. McManus-owned gelding wasn’t the force of old. However, a return to the scene of his greatest triumph sparked a revival in the fortunes of the 16/1 shot who was becoming the third winner in four years to come from across the Irish Sea.

Another big race winner for jockey Mark Walsh, Unowhatimeanharry was always well placed and he was among half a dozen horses that still held every chance as the runners began the long run to the final flight.

The winner edged ahead nearing the last and when compatriot Vision Des Flos got that flight all wrong, Walsh’s mount was left nicely clear. Ultimately the sternest challenge came from the staying on Bacardys but Unowhatimeanharry never looked likely to be caught. He hit the line with three lengths to spare while Bapaume and Killultagh Vic, stablemates of the runner-up, made it a two-three-four for Willie Mullins.

“That’s a big surprise. We weren’t expecting that. Maybe it was the change of scenery and coming over here for a few days has made the difference. There was very little spark from him on his last two runs and we came here solely in hope and not expectation,” said Fry.

WONDERFUL

“He’s been a wonderful horse for our yard. He came to us as a 123-rated maiden and he’s won a lot of good races for us. We’re just going to cherish today with him rather than look to the future.”

“J.P. has been a great supporter of our yard and I’m just delighted that we were able to repay him with a win like this.

“I really can’t tell you how much it means to us to win another big race with this horse. Also Mark gave him a great ride. He rode him in Aintree the last day and said that he didn’t enjoy himself down the inner so the plan today was to have him handy and give him plenty of light.

“We love coming here and it’s been a good meeting for us. We came here with our biggest team yet and it hadn’t gone to plan for the first two days but this one means more than any of them. If we could have picked any of them to come out and win a race it would be this fellow. I’m absolutely over the moon,” concluded Fry.

Dazzling Chacun pours it on.

RYANAIR NOVICE CHASE (GRADE 1)

THE lingering impression that one of the finest talents in the novice division only made his chasing debut two days before the start of the Cheltenham Festival was borne out in emphatic fashion by Chacun Pour Soi as he dominated a vintage line up for this to look like a horse of limitless potential.

Almost three years to the day after his last appearance in France, the Willie Mullins-trained seven-year-old began his career in Ireland with a hugely impressive 31-length success in a Naas beginners’ chase.

That race was light years removed from the strongest novice chase of the season, which brought together four individual Grade 1 winners, but Chacun Pour Soi (3/1) coped with this demanding assignment with the sort of assurance that speaks volumes about his potential.

Chacun Pour Soi and Robert Power are greeted by owner RICH RICCI after their win for trainer Willie Mullins. Photo Healy Racing.

The Susannah Ricci-owned son of Policy Maker, aboard whom Robbie Power replaced the retired Ruby Walsh, looked like an old hand as he deftly made his way around the two-mile chase course.

Indeed, the eye the continually drawn to the strong-travelling gelding who looked to be full of running as he turned for home with the Arkle winner Duc Des Genievres and the JLT scorer Defit Du Seuil for company.

The last-named provided the strongest opposition and had closed right in on Chacun Pour Soi coming to the final fence. However, the Mullins horse found an extra gear – as the top-class horses tend to do – to pull away again on the run-in and prevail by four and a quarter lengths. There was a further gap of 16 lengths back to the Arkle winner, Duc Des Genievres.

“I think we’ve seen a racehorse there,” remarked Mullins with some understatement. “We’ve had him about two and a half years and he was held up with niggly problems. I was considering keeping him a novice until next season but he came right around the time of the Naas race and then he came on here.

“To turn into the straight with a JLT winner on one side of him and an Arkle winner on the other side of him and to win the way he did says a lot about him. I did always think he was a very good horse and I just said to Robbie today to go around the outside and that if he’s as good as I think he is good only knows what will happen.

“He’s a special horse for the future and one we’ve always been excited about. He gallops and stays well but there’s no point talking about plans for next season now. We’ll get him home and get him out to grass.”

HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY

THE Ryanair Novice Chase looked the best race of its kind run anywhere this season with four Grade 1 winners in the line-up and it saw a terrific effort from Chacun Pour Soi. He faced a huge task taking a field that included two superb Cheltenham Festival winners but he rose to the challenge in style. Quotes of 5/1 for the Champion Chase next season could look very generous in due course. He didn’t run for the best part of three years since coming to Ireland, but one senses his connections will be amply rewarded next season.