Il Etait Temps was a shock winner as Facile Vega finished last of all in the Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown. Both horses are trained by Willie Mullins, but it was Facile Vega who was widely expected to triumph as the 4-9 favourite. He faded quickly out of it after turning for home, however, […]
State Man strode to a decisive victory over the gallant Honeysuckle in the Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown. The 6-5 favourite after five successive victories over hurdles so far, the Willie Mullins-trained chestnut travelled at the head of the field throughout under Paul Townend. Honeysuckle galloped in his slipstream until the closing stages, […]
Gentleman De Mee reversed the form with Blue Lord to land the Ladbrokes Dublin Chase at Leopardstown. The JP McManus-owned seven-year-old was a 15-2 shot in the Grade One for Willie Mullins and Danny Mullins, who was deputising for the injured Mark Walsh after he was stood down following a fall in the opening race. […]
Mark Walsh was taken for precautionary X-rays after a heavy fall at Leopardstown on Sunday. The rider was partnering 5-2 favourite Risk Belle in the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Paddy Mullins Mares Handicap Hurdle when the filly came down at the fifth flight. Walsh, who only returned from a previous injury lay-off on Saturday, […]
Mighty Potter was a straightforward winner of the Ladbrokes Novice Chase at Leopardstown for Gordon Elliott and Davy Russell. The even-money favourite raced near the head of the field of six throughout and was easily able to pull clear when asked around the final bend. Comfortably ahead at the last fence, the six-year-old only pulled […]
Warwick’s Virgin Bet Kingmaker Novices’ Chase remains the first preference for Jonbon at the weekend, but Nicky Henderson could yet also give his star novice a Newbury entry. The seven-year-old is unbeaten in two starts over fences so far, accounting for Monmiral by seven lengths on his chasing debut at Warwick before coasting to Grade […]
Final Orders continued his rapid rise through the ranks to highlight a handicap double for Gavin Cromwell at Leopardstown. While three of the Grade Ones on the card predictably went the way of Willie Mullins, although not all in the expected manner, both valuable handicaps went to Cromwell who can seemingly do no wrong at […]
Third Time Lucki stayed on nicely under a well-timed ride from Kielan Woods to collar long-time leader Fast Buck in the Virgin Bet Dolos Handicap Chase at Sandown. The Dan Skelton-trained eight-year-old had won a couple of Grade Two contests in his novice season and had chased home Arkle winner Edwardstone in the Kingmaker at […]
Gavin Cromwell is feeling more positive about the chance of Flooring Porter being able to defend his Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle crown at Cheltenham. The dual winner of the race met with a setback last month that forced Cromwell to state his chance of running at the Festival was no better than “50-50″. However, following […]
Galopin Des Champs dispelled any stamina doubts when running away with the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup. In doing so the Willie Mullins-trained seven-year-old cemented his position at the head of the betting for the blue riband at Cheltenham. There were still plenty in with a chance half a mile out when The Big Dog […]