Turners Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)

AFTER a hammering for the visitors in the first novice event of the week, something more resembling normal service resumed in the Turners Novices’ Hurdle, as the Willie Mullins-trained King Rasko Grey brought up a 40th Cheltenham Festival winner for Paul Townend - and at an SP of 11/1 that surprised the all-conquering trainer.

The market had responded massively to a British 1-2-3-4 in the Supreme a day earlier, with Paul Nicholls’ No Drama This End sent off the 5/2 favourite, but a messy start that had him well back in the field did him no favours. Continuing a frustrating start to the week for connections, he was pulled up. Townend kept matters as simple as possible on Audrey Turley’s Dublin Racing Festival third, who always caught the eye travelling well and coped just fine with the step up in trip. He had two and a half lengths to spare at the line over Act Of Innocence (Nicky Henderson) and surprise package 50/1 outsider Zeus Power (Joseph O’Brien).

“I love this horse,” said Townend, who was led in by his sister Jody.

“I came in and said to Willie after Leopardstown last time, ‘I can’t believe he finished third’. But it made a man of him that day. He’s still a little babyish, but it brought him on a lot. He’s a very exciting horse, I promise you that.”

Striking

Mullins added: “The price was the most striking thing. I couldn’t believe it. People were asking me for one under the radar. I never dreamt to be anything like that. He was one that I thought had a really good chance. I said after the race at the Dublin Racing Festival that he had stepped forward. It’s great for the owners after the disappointment of Galopin Des Champs being ruled out.”

King Rasko Grey is now priced between 14/1 and 25/1 for next year’s Champion Hurdle, and Mullins said: “I thought he could be a Champion Hurdle type. I don’t know whether he is or not, but he is by Galiway and I am sure he will jump a fence. He jumps very well, but I will look at his Champion Hurdle credentials.”

Not for the first time this week, the starting procedures came under fire and the comments of Nico de Boinville (on Act Of Innocence) towards Declan Queally (on fifth-placed I’ll Sort That) created a storm in the aftermath.

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Act Of Innocence

“He’s done nothing wrong and he’s a lovely big horse like Old Park Star. They are young and they have big futures.”

Joseph O’Brien, trainer of Zeus Power

“He ran a great race. J.J. gave him a lovely ride and he’s an exciting staying horse for the future.”

Declan Queally Jr, rider of I’ll Sort That

“The start was a bit of a mess, I got tracked back further than I wanted. Being abused by an English rider, Nico de Boinville, wasn’t very nice. I’m an amateur, I’m coming over here riding in front of my kids and that. It was horrific.

Max McNeill, part-owner of No Drama This End

“I think they should have given them another chance to walk in again at the start. If they don’t do it first time, they should tell them off and do it again. The Irish jockeys know what they are doing and they are going to make it as difficult for the class horse in the races as possible. I’m not blaming anyone. The horse wasn’t good enough on the day, but we live to fight another day.”

Harry Cobden, rider of No Drama This End

“I had no luck at all. Everywhere I went I got stopped, I was always too far back.”