BOYLESPORTS

CHAMPION CHASE

(Grade 1)

AFTER coming tantalisingly close to big race glory at Cheltenham, Danny Mullins ensured that he will end the season on a high as he teamed up with Felix Yonger in the BoyleSports Champion Chase and recorded the biggest success of his career.

At Cheltenham, Mullins recorded runner-up finishes on Arctic Fire and Milsean but any thoughts that his season might pass by without a top level success were dispelled as Felix Yonger turned up at his very best.

In an open renewal of this two-mile contest Felix Yonger was one of three runners for Willie Mullins and he lined-up having won three of his four starts this season.

For a period in the race it looked as though the Andrea and Graham Wylie-owned gelding might be struggling but he dug deep to launch a strong challenge on the outer off the final bend.

At this stage the former Arkle Chase second Baily Green continued to set the pace and he deserves tremendous credit for this resurgent display.

Over the final half mile Baily Green saw off Hidden Cyclone, Champagne Fever and Mallowney and it looked as though he might hold Felix Yonger.

The latter produced good jumps at the last two fences to remain in contention though and he found a way past on the run in to score by half a length. There were 16 lengths back to the third-placed Hidden Cyclone with Mallowney fourth.

“It’s great for Danny. He’s ridden four winners and two places horses from just seven rides in America lately and he’s riding with great confidence,” commented Mullins.

“When this horse looked to be struggling and was caught for toe with around four to jump Danny had the confidence to sit on him and let him fill his lungs. They are a good partnership.

“It was a very open race but Felix is a good ground horse and there’s plenty of good in the ground so that suited him well. Ruby said Champagne Fever slipped coming into the first and just lost his confidence and Twinlight hit a wing in mid-air and that was his race gone,” added the trainer.

Meanwhile the winning rider, who has bounced back from losing his position as Barry Connell’s retained rider earlier in the season, remarked: “The horse was very quick for me over the last two fences and that’s what you need in a two-mile chaser. The reason I was in America was that Sean McDermott is first jockey to Jack Fisher out there and they’d a lot of runners over a couple of weekends so Jack kindly put me on a few of his nice horses.

“Numerically this is one of the best seasons that I’ve had and Willie has given me plenty of opportunities. I hit the crossbar twice for him at Cheltenham so it’s great to get a Grade 1 here and fortunately Grade 1s have become part of my season.”