| 6.7°C Dublin

Merciless Mullins scales new heights as ‘Chacun’ and Colreevy shine in five-timer

Willie Mullins celebrates with the cup after sending out Chacun Pour Soi to win the William Hill Champion Steeplechase during day one of the Punchestown Festival. Photo: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile Expand

Close

Willie Mullins celebrates with the cup after sending out Chacun Pour Soi to win the William Hill Champion Steeplechase during day one of the Punchestown Festival. Photo: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Willie Mullins celebrates with the cup after sending out Chacun Pour Soi to win the William Hill Champion Steeplechase during day one of the Punchestown Festival. Photo: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Willie Mullins celebrates with the cup after sending out Chacun Pour Soi to win the William Hill Champion Steeplechase during day one of the Punchestown Festival. Photo: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Michael Verney

Three Grade One triumphs, three different winning jockeys, three different sets of successful colours, but the common denominator once again was the one and only Willie Mullins.

You quickly run out of superlatives for the Closutton maestro ​as he continued to rewrite the history of National Hunt racing with a sensational 1,875/1 five-timer on the opening day of the Punchestown Festival the latest addition to an extraordinary CV.

The 14-time champion jumps trainer, soon to be 15, ran amok at the Kildare track on an afternoon when all the hype surrounded the heavyweight clash between Monkfish (10/11 favourite) and Envoi Allen (6/4) in the Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase.

It was certain to be the race of the season in a Grade One between two future superstars, but it quickly became apparent that the only guarantee was Mullins would be the man standing in the No 1 spot welcoming the winner home.

Read More

Envoi Allen was pulled up before two out having failed to fire for the second time since joining Henry de Bromhead – he was later found to be lame – while Mullins’ Monkfish was left trailing in the wake of stablemate Colreevy (7/1) under an inspired front-running ride from the trainer’s nephew Danny.

It was a fairytale send-off as the eight-year-old, winner of the Mares’ Chase at last month’s Cheltenham Festival, bowed out in style before heading into retirement having already been covered by leading sire Walk In The Park.

“That was a nice send-off,” Mullins said of the Flynn family’s pride and joy as success capped a career-defining season for Danny Mullins having already bagged the Irish Gold Cup and his first Cheltenham Festival winner.

Danny added: “She’s a proper tough mare. With her mares’ allowance, I knew I wasn’t going to be far out of it. Even when I came out of the home bend I thought I had petrol up my sleeve but I thought those two were going to be coming up behind me.

“Everything that has been asked of her this year she’s delivered and to cap it off by beating the two geldings is great. That’s my second Grade One on her this year and she’s a Cheltenham Festival winner, she’s a proper mare.”

The other duel of the day delivered in style as Chacun Pour Soi (6/5 favourite) gave a scintillating display to repel stable companion Allaho (6/4) under the returning Paul Townend in the William Hill Champion Chase.

Townend may have been walking with discomfort, and an obvious limp as he sported a heavier boot than normal to offer support to an injured foot, but that was never going to stop him from partnering the brilliant nine-year-old and the pair delivered a masterclass to waltz home by five-and-a-half lengths with a virtuoso display.

“That was a proper performance. That was the real Chacun,” Townend beamed. “We were all disappointed in Cheltenham but that’s horses and he fired here. There was no hiding place and he jumped for fun and that was a proper performance.

“His jumping kept me in my comfort zone at all stages, Jesus, he was electric. Every fence he was galloping away from the back of it and it was a joy to ride and a serious thrill. To go that speed and jump that well when you’re able, it’s something else.”

By hell or high water, Townend was adamant that injury would not keep him sidelined any longer as he left the Kildare track five ahead (96-91) of Rachael Blackmore, who drew a blank, in their champion jockeys’ duel.

“It’s a very important week here and luckily we’re back 100pc on a horse. When you’ve horses like that to look forward to, it makes the recovery a lot easier. Walking is uncomfortable but it is fine. Once I get up on the horse’s back, I feel 100pc,” he added.

“There was nothing I could do about that (Blackmore’s cutting his lead in the title race) only try and get ready and worry about myself. I have enough to worry about myself never mind worrying about someone else, my aim was to get back riding and thankfully we are here.

“Everybody wants to finish as champion jockey and we have got this far.”

The Halfway Line Newsletter

A weekly update from our soccer correspondent Daniel McDonnell along with the best writing from our expert team. Issued every Friday.

This field is required

Townend came out the wrong end of the other Grade One contest when Echoes In Rain (8/13 favourite) advertised her Champion Hurdle claims under Patrick Mullins in the eCOMM Merchant Solutions Champion Novice Hurdle.

Mullins edged one ahead in the race to be crowned top amateur against Jamie Codd (46-45) when the five-year-old mare came home just over three lengths ahead of Colonel Mustard (40/1), which ran a cracker for Meath trainer Lorna Fowler.

Most Watched

Privacy