DELOITTE NOVICE HURDLE

(GRADE 1)

A RACE which promised to reveal much about the leading lights of the novice division looks to have substantially bolstered Willie Mullins’ team for Cheltenham as Bacardys edged out stablemate Bunk Off Early in the Deloitte Novice Hurdle.

An unusually open edition of this race was highlighted by the champion trainer’s decision to field six runners. The winner, a first Grade 1 winner over hurdles for Patrick Mullins, came into this race under the radar he was recapturing the top-class bumper form he showed last season.

As a winner of the bumper at Aintree and a horse who was placed at both Cheltenham and Punchestown, Bacardys looked a likely top-notch novice hurdler.

Even though this triumph was achieved over two and a quarter miles, Bacardys could be set for a major step-up in trip at Prestbury Park with immediate reactions after this race suggesting that the Albert Bartlett was a likely target.

Some eight years ago Patrick Mullins was denied a certain victory in this race when Cousin Vinny exited at the last but no such drama awaited here. The patiently ridden Bacardys (12/1) raced from the rear of the field and was under pressure at the back of the main group as they approached the turn-in.

STRODE ON

However, he really found his stride in the straight and on the run to the last he joined his strong-travelling stablemate Bunk Off Early and Brelade. The Shanakiel Racing Syndicate-owned winner landed running after the last and he went to the line strongly to prevail by three-quarters of a length.

Bunk Off Early posted a fine effort with regard to the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, while Brelade ran well to finish a further two and a quarter lengths back.

“I’m delighted for Patrick,” declared Mullins. “He had a little hold up after he won here at Christmas so I think he will improve again. I wanted to get more experience into him ahead of Cheltenham.

“Before the race I was thinking of him as an Albert Bartlett type. We do have others for that race but we will just have to see. This horse jumps and stays very well and he jumped much better than when he won his maiden.

“Bunk Off Early also ran very well and we’d be thinking of him as a two-miler.”