AES CHAMPION FOUR

YEAR OLD HURDLE

(GRADE 1) 2M

FOR the sixth year in a row, Willie Mullins struck gold in the last Grade 1 event of the season as Saldier stepped out of the shadows cast by other high-profile Irish juveniles to show just what he is capable of when he puts it all together.

Mullins fielded five runners in this race, which provided him with a ninth Grade 1 success at the meeting, and Saldier was a well-backed 10/1 chance to take a step forward on his recent efforts.

The Soldier Hollow gelding looked a major talent when winning his maiden hurdle at Gowran but he had since come up short in the Triumph and a Fairyhouse Grade 2.

Another stiff test looked to be in the offing for the Susannah Ricci-owned gelding as among those in opposition were Mr Adjudicator and Farclas – the dominant Irish juveniles of the season.

However, neither of them had any answer to Saldier who quickened up best of all off a steady pace which meant that the entire field were in with a chance of some sort after the second last.

As the runners turned for home Saldier could be picked out travelling strongly on the outside and he picked up best for Power to take control before the final flight.

A good jump there set up Saldier to come home three lengths ahead of Mr Adjudicator, with Saglawy completing the placings in another Mullins one-two-three. Farclas had to settle for fifth.

“He’s a horse that we thought quite a lot of but it was just a question of him getting his jumping together – that’s let him down on his last couple of runs,” remarked the trainer.

“Robbie got him jumping well and he’s shown there what he can do.

“He’ll stay hurdling next season and I’d we could consider going to France with all of them that ran there as we haven’t been too hard on our four-year-olds this season.

“He is a horse that could go back on the flat at some stage but maybe not for the time being.”