Patrick Ward & Co Solicitors Irish Arkle Novice Chase (Grade 1)

EVEN by his own incredible standards Willie Mullins took his domestic domination to a new level as he made it three Grade 1s on the spin on the opening day of the Dublin Racing Festival when Blue Lord bagged a hard-fought success over a gallant Riviere D’Etel.

In victory Blue Lord was making it three wins from as many starts over fences as he ably filled the void left by his sidelined stablemate Ferny Hollow.

Stewards inquiry

However, he was put to the pin of his collar to fend off the five-year-old mare and he also had to survive an anxious wait as the stewards were called into action to adjudicate on some late interference.

That incident took place after the last fence where Riviere D’Etel (2/1) made a costly error just as she was doing her utmost to fend off the challenge of the Simon Munir and Isaac Souede-owned winner.

As Blue Lord (5/2) capitalised on the mistake of his chief rival, he drifted left under a right-handed drive from Paul Townend which caused Riviere D’Etel to be snatched up briefly. To her credit the mare was coming again on the run-in as Blue Lord was crying out for the line and the finish arrived in time for the Mullins inmate to carry the day by half a length, with Saint Sam a further three and three-quarter lengths back in third.

Jack Kennedy was given a four-day suspension for his efforts on the runner-up.

“I thought that it was a good performance. He did what was required in a tough race with no hiding places as there was a lot of pace from the front,” commented Mullins.

“Turning in, he was under a bit of pressure but Paul got him running going to the last and then I felt it was just a matter of jumping the last.”

“Paul felt he was just a bit idle in front as he was when he won at Naas and between the wind that’s there today and the crowd he was just having a look around him once he got to the front.

Fifth leg

“Saint Sam needs to learn a lot. He made a couple of bad mistakes but got away with them.

“He’s a horse that can find a fifth leg and I thought that he ran well,” added the trainer whose winner will head to Cheltenham next month as the foremost Irish challenger for the Arkle for which he was disputing 3/1 favouritism with Edwardstone after this effort.

Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors €50,000 Cheltenham Bonus For Stable Staff Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)

HE may have been relatively quiet on the staying novice hurdle front so far this season but Willie Mullins now has a horse of real substance on his hands in this division as Minella Cocooner took a major step forward under a masterful Danny Mullins.

The David Bobbett-owned gelding met with defeat at odds-on when making his jumping debut at Cork a few months ago but got back on track at Navan before Christmas before taking things to a new level with this effort.

In victory the 11/1 shot has announced himself as a staying novice of real prowess and Danny Mullins, bagging yet another big race on an apparent second string, deserves every plaudit that comes his way for a superbly judged effort.

Tempo

The winning jockey rode a canny race from the front and set a tempo to suit himself throughout this two-and-three-quarter-mile affair. Minella Cocooner jumped superbly at all stages and when Danny Mullins sneaked a glance behind him towards the end of the backstraight, one got the sense that the winner could take a great deal of pegging back.

The favourite, Hollow Games, loomed up to challenge with two to jump but Minella Cocooner went away again rounding the last bend and approached the final flight with a good lead.

A safe jump there put the seal on a two-and-three-quarter-length triumph over Minella Crooner, who caught the eye with a strong-finishing effort having made a costly error at the second last. Hollow Games was a further half a length back in third and nothing else counted.

“We decided there mightn’t be much pace so we were happy to let him stride on and Danny was very good on him.

“He paced the race beautifully and got some brilliant jumps from the horse who looks a really super jumper,” remarked Mullins, who will bide his time before committing his charge to any set direction next month.

“He’s won there over two and three-quarter miles and I don’t see any need for him to go three miles. It’s a Grade 1 at a Grade 1 Festival and it’s super to see him win for the Bobbetts.”

Afterwards the winning rider remarked: “He’s very slick at his hurdles for a horse that stays so well.

“Down the back he was gaining lengths at every hurdle and I was always happy I’d pick up and battle when Hollow Games came to me but it was still a nice surprise to see how well he went away from them.”