Underwriting Exchange Gold Cup Novice Chase (Grade 1)

EASTER weekend 2021 is one that Jody McGarvey will never forget as the rider made it two Grade 1s in just over an hour and a half as Janidil recaptured his best form to lead home a Willie Mullins one-two-three.

After landing the feature race here on Saturday, McGarvey won the first of the day’s Grade 1s on Skyace before Janidil recaptured his best form to step out of the shadows cast by some of his contemporaries. Before this fixture McGarvey had only ever recorded one Grade 1 triumph but he showed when give the opportunities he is perfectly at home at this exalted level.

For much of this race Conflated, Asterion Forlonge and Andy Dufresne duelled for the lead and the latter produced a particularly good round of jumping but he wilted very quickly turning for home.

This left Asterion Forlonge in front but he could muster no response whatsoever when a patient McGarvey produced Janidil with his challenge at the second last.

The J.P. McManus-owned gelding began his season with a very taking beginners’ chase triumph at Naas in November but came here off a fall at Leopardstown two months previously.

However, he showed that Grade 1 company holds no fears for him at all as he accelerated into a good lead between the final two fences before making sure of things with a good jump at the last. At the line, Janidil came home four and a quarter lengths clear of previous Grade 1 winner Franco De Port, with Asterion Forlonge securing third.

“Janidil was very good. I didn’t put him in the picture to win this so easily but I felt he deserved his chance in a Grade 1 at a track he liked – he won a good handicap hurdle here last season – and he got a fantastic ride from Jody,” said Mullins who was making it three consecutive victories in this race. “He is a horse we’ve always thought a lot of. He disappointed his last couple of runs but Jody felt today he was always in his comfort zone and he got into a lovely rhythm jumping and over the last mile he was always travelling and confident. I’d be keen enough to go to Punchestown with the winner.

“I was a little disappointed with Asterion Forlonge. His jumping is getting better but maybe we made too much use of him there and possibly we need to adjust those tactics.”

McGarvey was still taking in what turned out to be a day of days for the rider.

“He never missed a beat with his jumping and he put it to bed quickly after two out. It’s unbelievable.

“You want to be at these meetings and riding in these races and I have to say a big thanks to Frank (Berry) and J.P. for letting me to step in and have these rides,” reflected the rider whose previous top-level success prior to this meeting came on Great Field at Punchestown four years ago.