With only one more meeting prior to Christmas in Ireland, it is all systems go for Leopardstown’s four-day meeting before the New Year. However, Donal Murphy unpacks the previous week’s action across the Emerald Isle, which provided even more reason to celebrate for Willie Mullins.
THE WEEK THAT WAS
Willie Mullins really upped the ante over the last seven days, saddling no less than 13 winners, while also picking up the prestigious RTÉ Sport Manager of the Year prize. His profitable week began at Punchestown last Tuesday, dominating this seven-race card by completing a four-timer.
A multiple winner at the highest level over flights, his Dancing City was the star attraction at the Co Kildare venue, and he didn’t disappoint his growing fanbase. Starting off over regulation fences, the seven-year-old jumped well in the main and needed to be kept up to his work in the closing stages to see off Shannon Royale by a length and a half. Sure to come on plenty for this effort, which was his first since May, bigger tests now lie ahead for the Joe and Marie Donnelly-owned chestnut.
Also trained by Mullins, French import Kitzbuhel completed a double for the Donnelly’s, as he made all in a conditions hurdle. Beating the 146-rated Colonel Mustard into second, this was a smart performance from the four-year-old grey.
Down the field in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham in March, You Oughta Know eased to an 11-length success on his first try over flights. His task was made all the easier when stable companion Port Joulain pulled up early on, with this one later reported to have suffered an overreach.
Mullins also struck with Hey Sunshine, who maintained her unbeaten record over hurdles when taking a novice contest for mares, while the Martin Brassil-trained James’s Gate was another winner of note. Third in the Champion Bumper of 2022, this lightly raced seven-year-old eased to victory on what was his first outing since January.
Brassil later reported: “He’s had his problems, but he’s been in a good place since he came back this summer. He could be a talented horse going forward.”
The Mullins bandwagon rolled on to Cork on Friday, with French import Kel Histoire creating a favourable impression on his debut over flights in the opening maiden hurdle. Successful on his sole start in France and subsequently bought by current connections for €200,000, he ultimately eased to a three and a half length win.
Fancy Girl and Spindleberry later completed a treble for Mullins, with the former easing to an impressive 13-length win on what was her first try over flights.
Relieved Of Duties was another easy winner on this seven-race programme, with the Gordon Elliott-trained gelding galloping on powerfully away from the last to beat race favourite Magic McColgan by 15-lengths.
Mullins yet again dominated at Fairyhouse on Saturday, with Triumph Hurdle winner Majborough the highlight of his 265/1 four-timer. Starting off over fences, the JP McManus-owned four-year-old made all and ultimately sauntered to a six and a half-length success, with his stable companions Tullyhill and Asian Master in second and third respectively.
The other Mullins winners were Judicieuse Allen, Inn At The Park and Future Prospect, with the latter impressing on what was her first start for current connections. The winner of a point-to-point when in the care of Denis Murphy, the Order Of St George bay led from pillar to post under Patrick Mullins, sprinting clear in the straight to win by nine lengths.
Giving his peers some much needed respite, Mullins had no representatives at Navan on Sunday, with his son Patrick still managing to claim the feature Irish EBF Future Champions INH Flat Race.
Teaming up with Gordon Elliott, Mullins guided English point-to-point winner Kalypso’chance to a taking four and a half length win in this Listed affair. Bookmakers were clearly impressed by the Masked Marvel chestnut, as he was subsequently clipped into favouritism for the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham in March.
Elsewhere on this seven-race card, the progressive Brave Troop made it two from two since switching to Charles Byrnes, while Midnight It Is and Individualiste completed a double for Gavin Cromwell.
At Naas on Monday, the Willie Mullins-trained Lecky Watson lowered the colours of Slade Steel in the opening beginners chase, with Baby Kate, who snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, later completing a double for the master of Closutton.
Shuffle The Deck, who was the ‘One To Watch’ from November 26th edition of this column, made the breakthrough on his second start over flights, with a return to Naas for a Grade 1 novice hurdle now on the agenda for the Ted Walsh-trained bay.
The concluding bumper also threw up an exciting prospect, with Scope To Improve swooping from last to first under a cool John Gleeson ride. The winner of a point-to-point when in the care of Pat Turley, the Telescope youngster showed a smart turn of foot in the closing stages, coming home three and a quarter lengths to the good on what was his first start for Henry De Bromhead.
BLACKMORE OUT OF LUCK ON RETURN
After a near three-month injury enforced absence, it was great to see Rachael Blackmore back in action at Naas on Monday.
While expected to make a winning return aboard the odds-on Slade Steel in the opening beginners chase, the pair ultimately had to settle for second.
Later fourth on the fast-finishing Belle The Tigress, the ever popular Co Tipperary native is sure to be busy over the festive period and will be keen to add to her current season tally of 23.
WHAT’S COMING UP
The only National Hunt meeting in Ireland this week takes place at Thurles on Saturday, the final fixture before Christmas. Won by the brilliant Honeysuckle in 2018, the Listed Billy Harney Memorial Irish EBF Mares Novice Hurdle is the feature contest.
ONE TO WATCH
On what was his first start over fences, this Willie Mullins-trained seven-year-old was let down by his jumping in the latter stages. Still very much in contention at the time, a bad mistake four out proved costly, before he made another lesser error at the penultimate obstacle. Still beaten by just over five-lengths into fourth, he looks a winner in waiting if ironing out jumping frailties.
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