Spindleberry maintained her unbeaten record over fences to provide Willie Mullins with a record sixth victory in the WillowWarm Gold Cup at Fairyhouse.
The champion trainer saddled three runners in the Grade One feature, although that number was soon reduced by one after the early pacesetter Ile Atlantique unseated his son Patrick at the third fence.
His exit left his stablemate and 7-4 favourite Champ Kiely in front and he quickly built up a buffer over the chasing pack under Paul Townend, with Danny Mullins and Spindleberry his closest pursuer.
Champ Kiely remained in front rounding the home turn, but Spindleberry took over coming to the final fence and found plenty on the run-in to score by four and a half lengths, with Gordon Elliott’s Firefox staying on to beat Champ Kiely to the runner-up spot and deny Mullins a one-two.
Mullins said: “She shows a real liking for this place and I thought Danny gave her a lovely ride.
“Whether she goes on to Punchestown or not, we’ll have a look at the programme and see how things are, but she’s a nice mare for the future and I think she should be well able to go out to three miles next season.”
Champ Kiely was beaten a total of 10 and a half lengths in third and Mullins added: “I was a little disappointed with Champ Kiely, but I think he was having to avoid the loose horse and may have taken his eye off it.”
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