OLBG MARES HURDLE

(GRADE 1)

AFTER relinquishing his stranglehold on the race 12 months ago, Willie Mullins was back on top in the day’s final Grade 1 as Benie Des Dieux served notice of her major potential.

Unbeaten in three starts over fences since joining Willie Mullins, the Susannah Ricci-owned seven-year-old appeared to face a tall order as she looked to wrest the mares’ crown away from the odds-on Apple’s Jade.

The latter wasn’t at her best though and had to settle for third as Ruby Walsh, whose ride drew the highest praise from the successful trainer, conjured a tremendous late surge from his mount.

STAMINA

Afterwards Mullins stressed how good he feels this mare could be when she goes back up in trip over fences and the her notable stamina reserves stood her in great stead when it mattered most.

One gets the impression that connections have their focus fixed firmly on next year’s Gold Cup.

VULNERABLE

Apple’s Jade set off in front before then taking a lead from Le Bague Au Roi for a period but then last year’s winner was back in front on the run to the last.

However, the market leader looked very vulnerable at this point and at the same time the eventual winner was under strong pressure in third.

Indeed it looked as though a huge upset could be on the cards as the 33/1 chance Midnight Tour took over in front but Benie Des Dieux would not be denied.

The going made the climb to the line all the more arduous but the Mullins mare never faltered and stayed on determinedly to clinch victory late on. She scored by half a length, with a further length back to Apple’s Jade.

“It’s early days I know but Ruby won’t give one a better ride this week,” reflected Mullins.

“This mare is four from four for us and when she first won I texted Rich and said we should call her Benie Des Douvan. She’s a really good mare and I think she’s well up to taking on the top-class geldings when she goes back over fences and over a longer trip.

PROBLEMS

“She has had training problems in the past and I’ve trained her just to get here which might be the way to do things with her.

“I was a little disappointed after her last win at Naas but I did say to David (Mullins) when he rode her at Naas to not leave Cheltenham behind her there and that’s what he did.

“Possibly we’ll look at the good mares’ hurdle at Punchestown but there is the Gold Cup to consider there as well. We could always leave chasing until next season but we’ll just see,” concluded Mullins.

After he made it 58 winners at the meeting Walsh reflected: “She is laden with stamina. I thought she had more gears but she’s really ground it out.

“I thought off the bend that I was stuffed but it’s a long way from there to the line and they were stopping in front.”