JLT NOVICES CHASE

(GRADE 1)

JUST over halfway through a week which has already provided its share of indelible memories, Ruby Walsh rode into racing folklore as he became the first jockey in history to make it 50 Cheltenham Festival winners on Black Hercules in the JLT Novices Chase.

Hopes were understandably high that Walsh could reach the half century at this year’s meeting and four victories over the first two days left him on the cusp of this historic milestone. Punters evidently felt that this was the moment for the jockey’s 50th win on this most exalted of stages as Black Hercules was sent off a well backed 4/1 co-favourite and it was so appropriate that it should come on board a Willie Mullins inmate.

A central figure in Walsh’s stellar career, Mullins provided him with one of his initial triumphs in the saddle and, all the way back in 1998, it was the champion trainer’s Alexander Banquet who gave the rider his initial Cheltenham victory.

“I remember back when I was riding I had a filly that I couldn’t do the weight on at Leopardstown so I got Ruby,” recalled Mullins. “She was a difficult ride but he dropped her out last in an 18 runner field and came through them all to win and it was that day that myself and Jackie said that this guy is the future. It’s fantastic that he’s done it today and he’s just always in the right place in any race.”

IMPRESSIVE

For his part Black Hercules took the drop back to two and a half miles on good ground in his stride. He jumped and travelled with his usual verve and especially impressive was the manner in which he fought back when it mattered most. The Andrea and Graham Wylie-owned gelding was headed by L’Ami Serge nearing two out and the last named then jumped right across Black Hercules at that fence.

To his credit Black Hercules, who won his point for Emmet Mullins, rallied splendidly. He was back upsides at the last and then stayed on determinedly to defeat Bristol De Mai by three lengths. For much of the winter it was open to question whether Black Hercules would head for the four miler or the RSA but yet again his trainer made an inspired choice to bring him right back in trip for this assignment.

Mullins said afterwards: “It wasn’t a difficult decision to come back for this. When I saw what I saw at Navan last month (Black Hercules fell at the last when in front), I thought he’d be too hard to handle in a four mile and the more I thought about it the more convinced I was to bring him back in trip and he showed huge guts there. I’d say he might be one that could go down the Ryanair route next year.”

The race got off to a shambolic start which saw Zabana unseat Davy Russell and this in turn hampered Outlander. At the time the tapes went up Zabana was standing sideways and understandably shied away when the race began. This was a deeply unsatisfactory situation and one that could easily have been avoided, but the stewards found that the correct starting procedures had been carried out.

“I think it was a poor showing to be honest. I am disappointed for Andy Lynch and Chris Jones. We thought the horse was going to run a big race.

“He just didn’t get a chance to do that,” commented Russell.

“It was obvious that we were going to take a turn. Some cantered at the tape, pulled up and we had to come back off the tape. The only way I could come off the tape was to turn around. Did the starter miss me or what, I don’t know.”