REST OF THE CARD
MIN banished his Christmas disqualification to distant memory as he came through an exacting test in the Grade 2 Coral Dublin Chase, which formed part of a terrific four-timer for Willie Mullins.
In December, he lost his hard-fought victory over Simply Ned in the stewards’ room but there was to be no repeat this time. Min came home with a dozen lengths to spare, to reignite his Champion Chase challenge, but it was an altogether different story for stablemate Yorkhill who finished a forlorn sixth.
GALLOP
From the outset of this extended two-mile race, Special Tiara and Alisier D’Irlande set a fierce tempo. This took a few of the runners out of their comfort zones but not so the David Mullins-ridden Min who looked most assured at all stages and cruised into contention before the second last.
On the run to the last, Min was in control and his only meaningful challenger was Ordinary World, who had been smuggled into contention by Davy Russell. Ordinary World got his landing all wrong and this left Min, the 11/8 favourite to come home with a dozen lengths to spare over Simply Ned, who edged out Special Tiara for second.
“They went very fast but David was able to get him settled and that made a big difference to him,” stated Mullins of the Susannah Ricci-owned gelding. “I’d imagine the Champion Chase is where he is headed.”
GOLD
For the third time in six years, J.P. McManus struck gold in the €100,000 Coral Hurdle where the canny Charles Byrnes worked the oracle with the lightly weighted Off You Go. On just the sixth outing of his career, the five-year-old found himself some 16lbs higher in the weight than at Limerick in December.
That hike was crucial as it enabled Byrnes’ horse to sneak in at the foot of the weights. Some 14 years after Dromlease Express pulled off a major gamble for Byrnes in this race, Off You Go was backed from 9/1 into 6/1 on course.
Mark Enright kept the Presenting gelding close to the pace on the outer in a race where a number of the market leaders all raced prominently.
Off You Go then went for his race shortly after turning in and he took a couple of lengths out of the field. He wasn’t too fluent at the last and it was all looking a little ominous when the oncoming Deal D’Estruval got on terms on the run-in.
In the manner of one who remains ahead of the handicapper, Off You Go pulled out more to carry the day by a length and a quarter. The 33/1 shot Grand Partner ran a tremendous race to take third.
“Initially I didn’t think that he’d get in but it all worked out perfectly. I’m not sure if he will go to Cheltenham, I doubt he’d get into many of the races there, but we’ll see,” observed Byrnes. “I thought that he jumped quite well and rallied very well when the other horse came to him. Mark doesn’t ride for me that often but when he does they usually win.”
On a memorable afternoon for Mullins, the relatively new recruit Patricks Park (6/1) left the form of his debut for the yard behind in the valuable Coral Sandyford Handicap Chase. Rachael Blackmore rode the seven-year-old, who emerged as one of the likelier winners of this extended two-mile contest as they neared the second last.
At this point, Three Stars struck for home and moved into a good lead, but a patient Blackmore produced her mount with a steady effort in the straight that got the better of Three Stars on the run-in. The Bowes Lodge Stables Partnership-owned gelding prevailed by two and three-quarter lengths, with Tully East running a splendid race to take third.
“I’m delighted for my son Patrick and Paul Byrne as they bought him out of the UK and he looks a well-bought horse now,” stated Mullins.
“He was taking a big drop in trip today having run over almost three miles the last day and that was a big help. It’s great for Rachael. He might run at Cheltenham if he gets into one of the handicaps there.”
FOUR-TIMER
The Mullins four-timer was completed by Blackbow in the Goffs Future Stars (C&G) INH Flat Race. This new Grade 2 contest attracted a field that included multiple winners Minella Encore and Rapid Escape. None could live with a dominant Blackbow (11/4) who travelled through the race with ease for Patrick Mullins.
The Stowaway gelding cruised to the front off the last bend.
Rhinestone kept the leader up to his work and lost out by just a length and a half to the O’Leary family’s horse.
ACTING STEWARDS
T. Hunt, R. Ryan, P. Caffrey, C.P. Magnier, P.D. Matthews
Horse To Follow
ORDINARY WORLD (H. de Bromhead): This gelding had to settle for fourth after an awkward landing at the last in the race won by Min. Has a definite future in quality two-mile chases.
Walsh ban
KATIE Walsh picked up a four-day whip ban after partnering Deal D’Estruval into second in the handicap hurdle won by Off You Go.
Yorkhill’s future
After Yorkhill posted another below par effort behind Special Tiara, Willie Mullins said: “He was very disappointing. He was never travelling and it’s totally back to the drawing board. Possibly he just wasn’t happy going that sort of pace over fences.”
Tully East’s longer trip
A WINNER at Cheltenham last season, the eight-year-old will head straight back there following his fine third to Patricks Park. Alan Fleming indicated that his charge could well move back up in distance at Cheltenham.
Mick Jazz plans
AFTER his third to Supasundae, Mick Jazz was reported to be on course for the Champion Hurdle by Gordon Elliott and the trainer then hopes to prepare his charge for a tilt at the American Grand National.
Hollowgraphic to Cotswolds
ALTHOUGH he didn’t contest the bumper won by stablemate Blackbow, the exciting Hollowgraphic is reported to be in good heart by Willie Mullins and the plan is for him to head straight to Cheltenham.