Tag Archive for: Paul Townend

Lossiemouth untroubled in defence of Mares’ Hurdle title

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Lossiemouth maintained her perfect Cheltenham record in successfully defending her Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle crown.

The six-year-old claimed the two-and-a-half-mile Grade One contest by three lengths 12 months ago and more than justified 4-6 favouritism for another impressive victory under the guidance of Paul Townend.

The Rich Ricci-owned grey sat in second for much of the race, sitting on the shoulder of her Willie Mullins-trained stablemate Jade De Grugy before making her move ahead of the final fence.

Jade De Grugy tried to push the tempo, but Lossiemouth cruised past the leader before flying over the last and kicking on to seal a seven-and-a-half-length triumph and win at the Festival for the third time. Take No Chances was third for Dan Skelton.

Plenty of the build-up to Cheltenham had surrounded whether Lossiemouth would go for the Champion Hurdle over the Mares’ Hurdle, and while two defeats this season had raised question marks, that still appeared it would be the case before a late change of heart.

Mullins said: “As a trainer and as a professional I didn’t see the work (the other day) to run her in the Champion Hurdle, which disappointed me on the day, but we had the alternative to come here and that worked.

“You have to look at Rich Ricci’s team – he hasn’t had a great year this year and we all sort of gauge ourselves by Cheltenham. I’m not sure he has another live chance of a winner this week and she was a live chance of a winner in this race.

“It was disappointing to change our minds from a two-year plan, but it was the correct decision for the connections, I think.

“For these owners that we have, it’s all about coming here and having a winner, and Paul wasn’t going to ride this mare in the Champion Hurdle. When Paul said he wasn’t going to ride her in the Champion Hurdle, that was enough of a pointer for most people.

“I was happy with where our horses were placed in the race. Danny (Mullins) said he was going to make the running on Jade De Grugy, she ran a cracker as well and there’s more big days in her, too.”

On whether Lossiemouth will be aimed at the Champion Hurdle next season, Mullins added: “I’m not going to open my mouth again!

“This is her third win in Cheltenham, which puts her in a different league from a lot of other horses, and if we want to see that battle (with the geldings) they can come to Ireland and take her on, or we might go to Liverpool for the Aintree Hurdle. It doesn’t have to be all about one day here, there are other opportunities to meet those type of horses.

“She is a mare with a nice pedigree. At the moment Rich probably has mares for racing rather than breeding. If a breeder owned her she’d probably be retired to stud, but I’d say the fact that she’s in the pink and green spots means she’ll probably race for another season at least.”

Some really good Skelton: Dan Skelton was proud of Take No Chances, who fared best of the British back in third.

“I’m very very happy with her and I have been all season to be honest, she’s run brilliantly,” said Skelton.

“You run that race a million times and the best we could be was second and we nearly were, Lossiemouth is just in a different league but we’re very proud.

“She could run again, we’ll consider Sandown and we may even enter for the mares’ race at Punchestown.”

Skelton admitted that had he trained Lossiemouth, a Champion Hurdle bid would not have been on his radar.

He said: “As controversial as it is that Lossiemouth didn’t run in the Champion Hurdle, she’s run in the race she’s most likely to win so from a professional perspective you can’t knock it. If she were mine, to be honest I’d probably have never considered the Champion Hurdle!

“I always knew we’d outrun our odds and two weeks ago when it looked like Lossiemouth wasn’t running, I even had it in my head she could go off second favourite and have a squeak of winning and it has worked out like that.

“This was my first Grade One winner at the Festival, this race, and I have a strong opinion that this race should stay.

“Saying it should go is definitely not the way forward, it has to stay, maybe in a different guise but it would be a big step backwards for the industry and the breed to lose the mares’ races.”



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Redemption Day at Naas goes well for Mullins and Townend

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Paul Townend warmed up for a huge week at the Cheltenham Festival with victory aboard Redemption Day in the opening race at Naas on Sunday.

Townend will be the envy of most if not all other riders in the weighing room at Prestbury Park, with the likes of Supreme Novices’ Hurdle favourite Kopek Des Bordes, Mares’ Hurdle odds-on shot Lossiemouth, defending Champion Hurdle hero State Man and, of course, Cheltenham Gold Cup hat-trick seeker Galopin Des Champs to look forward to.

Grade One-winning bumper horse Redemption Day was an 8-15 favourite to open his account over obstacles at the third attempt in the Bar One Racing “Guaranteed Multiples All Shops” Maiden Hurdle and while it was hard work, the Willie Mullins-trained gelding knuckled down on the run-in to beat Come Walk With Me by a length and three-quarters.

“That was nice. He settled nicely, which was good for him,” said Townend.

“He has the engine, but things probably haven’t gone right for him for a couple of seasons. Hopefully he can have a nice spring on the back of that.”

On being able to ride State Man and Lossiemouth on Tuesday after Mullins ultimately decided to keep the latter against her own sex rather than bid for Champion Hurdle glory, he added: “I couldn’t be happier, hopefully we’re as happy on Tuesday evening!

“I won’t have a terribly busy week, but I’ve a lot of classy horses to ride and if we can get a good Tuesday it makes the rest of the week a bit shorter.”

Gaucher struck Grade Three gold at Naas
Gaucher struck Grade Three gold at Naas (Gary Carson/PA)

Mullins completed a quickfire double in the Bar One Racing “100% Acca Boosts On Self-Service Bet Terminals” Kingsfurze Novice Hurdle, with 20-1 shot Gaucher springing a surprise.

Ridden by Brian Hayes, the six-year-old pulled eight and a half lengths clear of 13-8 favourite Goraibhmaithagat, with Olly Murphy’s British raider Pleasington a disappointing seventh of eight.

“It was a very good performance giving weight to everything. I thought the track might suit him, around the inside. He’s a small, tidy, well-balanced horse. It proved right and it’s nice to get it,” said Hayes.

“He has plenty of pace and he rolls nicely into and out of bends. Hopefully he might win a few more.”

The champion trainer went on to complete a four-timer, with Jump Allen justifying 9-2 favouritism in the Bar One Racing ‘Extra Place Races At The Cheltenham Festival’ Handicap Hurdle under Sean O’Keeffe and Olympic Man scoring at 11-8 in the Bar One Racing ‘Guaranteed Overnight Prices’ Beginners Chase.

Danny Mullins was on board the latter, and said: “He’s not becoming a good jumper but he’s getting good at being a bad jumper! Even the mistakes he’s making throughout he’s not losing ground. The only one really was when we were off the bridle going to the last, he lost a length there.

“Once I galloped away from it I always felt that I was picking Darragh (O’Keeffe, riding Foxy Girl) up, and he was good and tough up the hill.”



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Bambino Fever signs off another memorable Dublin Racing Festival for Mullins

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Bambino Fever rounded off another memorable Dublin Racing Festival for Willie Mullins with victory in the concluding Coolmore N.H. Sires Luxembourg Irish EBF Mares I.N.H. Flat Race.

The champion trainer saddled four runners in his bid for a seventh winner across the two-day fixture at Leopardstown, with son Patrick siding with the impressive Fairyhouse scorer Future Prospect, who was the 9-4 favourite for the Grade Two finale come the off.

However, while she was a spent force early in the home straight after racing keenly, Punchestown winner Bambino Fever (9-1) was just getting going in the hands of Jody Townend and the further she went the better she looked, with seven and a half lengths the winning margin.

Switch From Diesel was best of the rest in second, with Carrigmoornaspruce third.

Paddy Power cut Bambino Fever to 6-1 from 14-1 in their market for the Champion Bumper at next month’s Cheltenham Festival.

Mullins said: “That was a tremendous improvement from Bambino Fever. She surprised me the first day and she surprised me again today.

“Jody got her lovely and settled at the back and Jukebox Jury must be a fair sire. I’m absolutely delighted with her.

“To me that performance was good to go to Cheltenham anyhow.

“Future Prospect was very disappointing, she was too keen.”

Willie Mullins surrounded by the media at Leopardstown on Sunday
Willie Mullins surrounded by the media at Leopardstown on Sunday (Evan Treacy/PA)

Reflecting on the meeting overall, the Closutton handler added: “It’s been a great weekend because it’s always a worry coming here with the type of horses we bring here.

“Will they fire? Some of them did fire. Some of them didn’t fire, other ones did. We were disappointed with some and then we had some surprises with others.

“It’s tremendous for our owners and staff and I’m very happy with the weekend.”



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State Man lands third Irish Champion Hurdle, as Lossiemouth makes dramatic exit

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A crashing fall suffered by his stablemate Lossiemouth allowed State Man to come home in splendid isolation and claim his third victory in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown.

The feature event on day two of the Dublin Racing Festival was billed as a straight shootout between the Willie Mullins-trained duo, with Lossiemouth the marginal favourite at 8-11 after finishing behind the brilliant Constitution Hill in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day.

State Man (5-4) had also come up short over the festive period, finishing a distant third behind Brighterdaysahead, but Paul Townend kept the faith in the reigning champion, allowing Danny Mullins to ride Lossiemouth for the first time since her Irish debut three years ago.

From flag-fall the big two dominated, with Lossiemouth and State Man quickly building up a huge advantage over the other three runners.

The decisive moment came in the back straight as Lossiemouth was still in a narrow lead when she made a bad mistake and fell four flights from home, very nearly bringing down State Man in the process.

Townend kept the partnership intact, however, and the race was effectively over from there as State Man coasted home to beat another Mullins runner, Daddy Long Legs, by six and a half lengths.

Mullins said: “Both jockeys went out with no instructions and I was happy to let them do what they wanted, ride their own horse and their own race.

“They were setting it up to be a hell of a race. What happened is disappointing for Rich (Ricci, owner of Lossiemouth), it’s disappointing for the public and it’s disappointing for us all. It was just one of those things and Paul said he was lucky not to be brought down.

“Paul was happier that State Man was back to himself. He only does whatever he has to do, and only wins a length or two when he’s right.

“Paul never waivered from him. There was never any question which horse he was going to ride today.”

Paul Townend celebrates winning a third Irish Champion Hurdle on State Man
Paul Townend celebrates winning a third Irish Champion Hurdle on State Man (Evan Treacy/PA)

Paddy Power trimmed State Man’s odds to win a second Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham to 7-1 from 8-1, with Lossiemouth pushed out slightly to 4-1 from 11-4. Former champion Constitution Hill is the 4-7 favourite to regain his crown.

Lossiemouth walked away from her exit unscathed and while her rider was gingerly holding his arm in the immediate aftermath, he did ride in the next race.

Of Lossiemouth, her trainer said: “When she won the Hatton’s Grace at Fairyhouse she was running at a four-mile pace and we always settled her in behind because she was so keen.

“She is bred to be way faster than State Man, but in the Christmas Hurdle she just wasn’t used to that fast pace that they go around Kempton. I didn’t think that was anything to do with zest, it was just to do with the way we’d been teaching her to race.

“I haven’t spoken to Rich, but our plan has always been to go for the Champion Hurdle and unless they have a change of heart, I’m happy she can still go for a Champion Hurdle.”



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Ballyburn back on top with Leopardstown verdict

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Ballyburn bounced back from an emphatic Christmas reverse at the hands of Sir Gino with a determined victory in the Ladbrokes Novice Chase at Leopardstown.

A triple Grade One-winning novice hurdler last season, Ballyburn made a fine start to his career over fences at Punchestown in November but was no match for a rampant Sir Gino in the Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase at Kempton over the festive period.

Stepping back up in trip, Ballyburn was the 8-13 favourite to land a Grade One contest his trainer Willie Mullins has farmed in recent years, with Faugheen (2020), Galopin Des Champs (2022) and last year’s victor Fact To File among those on the roll of honour.

Having sat in the slipstream of pacesetting stablemate Champ Kiely for much of the two-mile-five-furlong contest, Ballyburn took over after jumping the second fence from home and looked set to win decisively after cruising round the home turn in front.

But Croke Park – an 11-1 shot despite being a dual Grade One winner over fences already – kept the market leader honest all the way up the straight before Paul Townend’s mount found more on the run-in to pull five lengths clear. Impaire Et Passe was a further five and a half lengths behind in third.

Coral make Ballyburn their 2-1 favourite (from 11-4) to successfully step up to three miles in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at next month’s Cheltenham Festival.

Mullins said: “I never lost faith, Kempton was just a bit sharp for him and I suppose Kempton lit him up as well, so he was fairly lit today with Paul.

“I think he eventually got him settled and he was afraid to move on him then in case he took off again, so he didn’t do any racing until after the last and he did what he usually does – he just quickened up from the last home.

“He looks a decent horse and I loved what he did from the last to the line. Once Paul got to ask him, he flew.

“He’s bred to get three miles and it’s fascinating he was able to do what he did over two miles and everyone had him down as a two-miler, but looking at his page you’d have to think he wants a trip.

“I thought his jumping improved today, going that pace today over that trip it was going to be easier for him.”



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Townend sticks with State Man for Lossiemouth showdown

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Willie Mullins insists State Man is still his “number one contender” in the two-mile division ahead of a blockbuster clash with stablemate Lossiemouth in the Irish Champion Hurdle.

State Man won 12 of his first 13 completed starts for the champion trainer, his only defeat during that period coming at the hands of Constitution Hill in the 2023 Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.

The eight-year-old has won two Irish Champion Hurdles, two Punchestown Champion Hurdles, two Morgiana Hurdles and two Matheson Hurdles – and in Constitution Hill’s absence claimed Champion Hurdle glory at the Cheltenham Festival last term.

But on Sunday he will return to Leopardstown on a recovery mission, having twice been beaten by Brighterdaysahead this season, most recently coming home 31 lengths adrift of Gordon Elliott’s superstar mare at the Foxrock track over Christmas.

Paul Townend celebrates winning the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham on State Man
Paul Townend celebrates winning the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham on State Man (Mike Egerton/PA)

For that reason, most bookmakers made Lossiemouth the hot favourite to claim Irish Champion Hurdle glory earlier this week following her runner-up finish to Constitution Hill in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton – but Paul Townend is interestingly keeping the faith in State Man and so is his trainer.

“He didn’t turn up, we were very disappointed,” Mullins said of his festive performance.

“It was very disappointing on all counts and I don’t know why, but hopefully we can get him back to himself. We’ll only know on the day but we’re happy with what he’s doing at home.

“The winner put in some performance, I’d be delighted to have her in the yard here. I was in the stands in awe of the performance she put in.

“Our horse disappointed at Christmas, but we always forgive a horse one bad run and he is our number one contender.”

Danny Mullins comes in for the ride on Lossiemouth, having steered the top-class grey to her first ever win on Irish soil at Fairyhouse in December 2022.

Lossiemouth winning the Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse
Lossiemouth winning the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse (Evan Treacy/PA)

She never threatened to land a telling blow on Constitution Hill in the Christmas Hurdle, but was only beaten two and a half lengths at the line and is expected to be sharper this weekend.

Speaking at a Dublin Racing Festival press morning last week, her trainer said: “Lossiemouth set off at about two-and-a-half or even three-mile pace and she did well to finish as close as she did.

“We’d been settling her all the time and she just couldn’t handle the pace because that is what we’d been teaching her. To me, the race was gone before she hit the first hurdle – she wasn’t competitive.

“I thought she ran well given what we’d been teaching her the last couple of years. We’ll sharpen her up at home and it will be different the next day.”

Mullins has two more strings to his bow in Daddy Long Legs (Sean O’Keeffe) and Winter Fog (Patrick Mullins), with the field completed by Gordon Elliott’s Fils d’Oudairies (Sam Ewing), who is set to turn out just eight days after finishing fourth behind Constitution Hill in the Unibet Hurdle at Cheltenham.



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Back-in-action Maughreen makes no mistake on jumping bow

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Maughreen strengthened her Cheltenham Festival claims with a front-running victory on her return to action at Punchestown.

From the family of the brilliant Champion Hurdle winner Faugheen, and similarly marked with a white blaze, the six-year-old made quite an impression on her bumper debut at Punchestown in January of last year, but had not been seen in competitive action since.

Despite the 378-day absence, Maughreen was the 4-11 favourite for her comeback in the 50,000 Euros BetVictor Graduation Bonus Series Mares Maiden Hurdle and led from pillar to post under Paul Townend.

Having jumped well in the main, the Willie Mullins-trained mare was in full command rounding the home turn and while she was steadied into the final flight, she picked up again on the run-in to beat the staying-on Dee’s Lady by five lengths.

Gordon Elliott’s five-time winner Familiar Dreams, who was last seen running on the Flat at Keeneland, was best of the rest in third.

Coral make Maughreen the 3-1 favourite from 5-1 for the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.

“I thought it was a huge performance for a mare having only her second run, against the experience that Familiar Dreams had,” said Mullins.

“She went out and made her own running, jumped from hurdle to hurdle. She made one or two little mistakes and got a bit close at the last, but Paul was happy to let her fiddle that. She learned.

“I’m not sure we’ll any more chances to give her a run between now and Cheltenham, we’ll see. Looking at that I don’t think she’ll need one. She should improve, I’m hoping she’ll improve from that. She took a blow and she was idling.

“All roads lead to Cheltenham.”

Maughreen was one of three winners on the card for the Mullins-Townend combination, with the treble initiated by Karbau in the 50,000 Euros BetVictor Graduation Bonus Series Maiden Hurdle.

The five-year-old was a 1-2 favourite off the back of finishing fourth on his Irish debut at Naas and duly raised his game register a 16-length success.

Mullins said: “That was a nice performance. He learned a lot from the first day and put it to good use.

“He was taking about half a length out of most of them (at his hurdles). I’m very pleased with him.

“He’s in the Supreme Novices’ and the Turners at Cheltenham. He’s a forward going type and he likes to race and jump.”

Port Joulain (11-10 favourite) completed the Closutton hat-trick with a clear-cut victory in the Festival Flexi Ticket Is Back Maiden Hurdle.

“At last he’s improving that fella. He’s probably not the simplest horse to ride, he’s very fussy with his mouth and we might try and sort that out,” Mullins added.

“Paul said when he got down and rode him he went straight for him and he was happy, but he has a very tender mouth.

“He’ll possibly be better going left-handed. I don’t know where we’ll go, he might be more Fairyhouse/Punchestown (rather than Cheltenham) but they are two right-handed tracks.

“He could make the top grade as a chaser.”



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Aurora Vega continues on the right path at Fairyhouse

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Aurora Vega successfully stepped up in class to provide trainer Willie Mullins with a 10th victory in the SBK Solerina Mares Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse.

The champion trainer fired a three-pronged assault at a Grade Three contest he has dominated in recent years, with 85-40 favourite Aurora Vega joined by a couple of talented stablemates in Baby Kate and Fancy Girl.

Impeccably-bred being a daughter of Walk In The Park out of the great racemare Quevega, Aurora Vega had won five of eight previous starts and was bidding to make it back-to-back victories at Fairyhouse following an all-the-way victory at the County Meath circuit on New Year’s Day.

The choice of stable jockey Paul Townend, the seven-year-old was never too far off the pace and picked up well in the straight to pull clear of the chasing pack.

Dream On Baby briefly threatened to make a race of it after Aurora Vega steadied herself approaching the final flight, but the latter found more on the run-in to prevail by a length and three-quarters.

Beauforts Storm was best of the rest in third, with Baby Kate and Fancy Girl both disappointing.

Coral cut Aurora Vega’s odds for the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival to 12-1 from 25-1 – but Mullins suggested she may instead stay at home.

Trainer Willie Mullins at Leopardstown
Trainer Willie Mullins at Leopardstown (Brian Lawless/PA)

“It looked a big improvement to me, I was really taken by that performance,” said Mullins.

“I thought she’d come on a lot from the last day, (but) I wasn’t expecting that out of her.

“She looked like one that you’d maybe want to keep for the Grade One Mares’ Novice here at Easter. That would be foremost in my mind at the moment.

“Baby Kate disappointed me a little bit with her performance there.”



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Kiss Will survives mistake to emerge as latest Mullins prospect

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Kiss Will survived a final-flight scare to make an impressive debut for Willie Mullins at Fairyhouse.

Bought for €280,000 after finishing second in a French bumper in September 2023, the five-year-old was the 4-11 favourite to go one better on his Irish introduction in the Fairyhouse, Racecourse Of The Year 2024 Maiden Hurdle.

Under a positive ride from Paul Townend, Kiss Will scooted clear of Hello Jack from the home turn and while odds-on backers will have had their hearts in their mouths when he fluffed his lines at the last, it did not halt his momentum as he powered on to register 13-length victory.

On the mistake at the last, Townend said: “He’ll have to learn how to do that as well if he’s going to be a good horse, he’s going to have to jump at speed. He found a leg, which was good.

“It was a match from the time we jumped off and I had the better of that turning in. He lengthened well up the straight and handled the nicer ground well.”

Bookmakers shortened Kiss Will to a general 16-1 for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, and Townend added: “He showed a little bit more of a turn of foot than I thought, but other people have different opinions of him at home.

“He’ll be an exciting horse and have a future.”

Mullins and Townend doubled up in the Jump Into January Maiden Hurdle with last season’s Champion Bumper fifth Fishery Lane.

The Bryan Drew-owned six-year-old could finish only third on his hurdling bow, but raised his game with a four-and-a-half-length verdict as the 10-11 favourite.

Townend said: “When he ran the last day I wasn’t very good on him and they all came forward, the ones that were running at that time.

“He’s a strong stayer, I’d say – that would be my opinion of him.

“He got experience jumping and he probably wants it. He’ll be improving on the job.”

Gordon Elliott and Danny Gilligan teamed up to land the Easter Festival April 19th – 21st Rated Novice Hurdle with 100-30 shot Find A Fortune.

The eight-year-old, who had been off the track since May of last year, was not winning out of turn having been placed in six of his seven previous races under rules.

“We thought he’d need the run to be honest. We only stuck him in at 9.55am because the race was cutting up. He looked big enough for one of ours walking around the ring,” said Elliott.

“It’s great for Aidan (Ryan, owner) who is a big supporter of the yard, it’s nice to get a winner for him.

“He’ll go chasing at some stage, we’ll keep him going as he’ll handle better ground.”

Gavin Cromwell continued his excellent run of form by saddling Springt De La Mare (2-1) to land the opening Fairyhouse For Fundraisers Beginners Chase under Keith Donoghue.

“He couldn’t win a hurdle race, but he jumped very well for his first run over fences and he just looks like a chaser,” said Cromwell.

“I’ve no plan, we’ll see what the handicapper does and maybe look at a novice handicap.”



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Townend and De Boinville ready for another Ascot blockbuster

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Paul Townend and Nico de Boinville are relishing another big-race clash in the BetMGM Clarence House Chase at Ascot on Saturday.

It is three years since the leading riders went head-to-head in a highly-anticipated renewal of the Grade One contest, with De Boinville and Shishkin narrowly outpointing the Townend-ridden Energumene in a race that lived up to its billing and then some.

Dual Queen Mother Champion Chase hero Energumene has suffered only two defeats in 13 starts over fences and both have come in the Clarence House, having also finished a disappointing third behind Editeur Du Gite and Edwardstone in a rearranged running at Cheltenham in 2023.

The Willie Mullins-trained 11-year-year-old missed the entirety of last season through injury, but proved the fire still burns brightly on his return in last month’s Hilly Way at Cork and Townend is hopeful he can make it third time lucky in this weekend’s feature event.

“He came out of Cork well and I’m looking forward to another crack at Nico and hopefully we’ll get the better of him,” said Townend, speaking at Clonmel on Wednesday.

“Every day you get to ride him is a good day and he seems to be fine since Cork.”

On the same card the six-time champion jockey is set to partner the returning Kargese in the Grade Two BetMGM Mares’ Hurdle.

Kargese and Paul Townend after winning at last season's Punchestown
Kargese and Paul Townend after winning at last season’s Punchestown (Brian Lawless/PA)

The five-year-old will be a warm order on her first competitive appearance since winning the juvenile Grade One at the Punchestown Festival in May last year.

“Travelling for her first run of the season isn’t ideal, as Willie always says, but she’s strengthened up massively and is ready to go,” Townend added.

De Boinville has two Clarence House Chase victories on his illustrious CV, with Shishkin’s triumph preceded by the dominant success of the brilliant Altior in 2019.

This weekend he will be on board another Nicky Henderson star in Jonbon, who is fresh from making it back-to-back wins in the Tingle Creek at Sandown and is gunning for a ninth top-level victory.

Nico de Boinville celebrates after winning the Tingle Creek with Jonbon
Nico de Boinville celebrates after winning the Tingle Creek with Jonbon (David Davies for The Jockey Club)

Speaking before racing at Newbury, De Boinville told Sky Sports Racing: “We take on Energumene and all the other old characters that seem to be turning up in these races. Hopefully it will be a good contest and it should put a few bums on seats as well.

“You don’t know which Energumene is going to turn up. He’s getting on as well, not that Jonbon is – we’re taking him on with a younger rival.

“It was a great day back then (with Shishkin), but Saturday is another race and we’ll take it as such.

“I think Jonbon is a horse that thrives on his racing and he’s come out of Sandown really well. This has always been the plan and sets us up nicely.”



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Funiculi Funicula makes an impression on debut for Mullins

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Funiculi Funicula looked a name to note in making a winning start for Willie Mullins in the Monroe Hurdle at Clonmel on Wednesday.

Runner-up on his only outing in France, the five-year-old went one better after 453 days off the track, with a 17-length victory from the front in the hands of Paul Townend, who was clearly impressed with the 4-7 favourite, who shortened markedly in the ante-post market on the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle in the immediate aftermath.

“He’s a nice horse and on the form of the race in France he was entitled to do that,” he said.

“What he had been showing us at home was nice. I thought we went a good gallop for the ground and we were spread out the length of Clonmel.

“You are probably going quicker than you feel on him. Everything is very natural and very easy to him.

“We like him a lot and hopefully he has a bright future.”

Mullins and Townend were out of luck in the Munster Hurdle, as Beckett Rock profited from the jumping frailties of his two key rivals to claim top honours.

Five runners went to post for the two-mile-one-furlong contest, with the betting dominated by the Mullins-trained pair of Bunting and Got Glory at 5-6 and 2-1 respectively.

Bunting made much of the running before a mistake three from home saw Townend almost ejected from the saddle.

The six-time champion jockey did well to keep the partnership intact and he remained firmly in contention rounding the home turn, but Henry de Bromhead’s 5-1 shot Beckett Rock was travelling better in the hands of Rachael Blackmore.

Danny Mullins was producing Got Glory with a major challenge when she crashed out at the second-last, leaving Beckett Rock and Bunting to battle it out, and the former was always doing enough on the run-in to win the argument by three-quarters of a length.

Beckett Rock was a 15-length winner on his hurdling debut at Gowran Park in November 2023, but was well beaten on his return from over a year off the track at Punchestown last month.

De Bromhead said: “It was nice to see him step forward from his first run. He got a bit lost the last day.

“He got hurt after he won on debut at Gowran and Michael (O’Flynn, owner) has been really patient with him and it’s nice to see his patience being rewarded.

“He toughed it out there. Obviously things fell his way a little bit, but we’ll take it.”



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Pyke seals Punchestown treble for Mullins and Townend

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Kappa Jy Pyke completed a Punchestown treble for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend with victory in the Sky Bet Acca Freeze Maiden Hurdle.

The French recruit had to make do with the silver medal when an odds-on favourite for his Irish debut at Cork last month and was an even-money shot to go one better at the second attempt.

Always up with the pace, Kappa Jy Pyke looked to have a real race on his hands on the run to the final flight, with market rival Don’tstopthemusic being produced with a well-timed challenge.

However, the latter suffered a crashing fall, leaving the Mullins runner in the clear and he had 17 lengths in hand over the eventual runner-up Brave Brigadier at the line.

Townend said: “It was a nice performance. He built on Cork well in every sense, jumping wise and the freshness was gone out of him with the benefit of the run.

“I thought he quickened up smartly down the straight. I was actually quite taken with him.

“The horse that beat us in Cork (Sky Lord) ran well in the race before (finished fourth in Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle), so the form was there if he built on it and I think he did.

“I didn’t know how the horse behind me was going but I was still picking up and I thought it would take a fair one to go by me.”

Nine Graces (centre) jumps the final fence at Punchestown
Nine Graces (centre) jumps the final fence at Punchestown (Brian Lawless/PA)

Finny Maguire steered Nine Graces to a clear-cut victory in the Sky Bet Extra Places Every Day Amateur National Handicap Chase.

Barry Connell’s charge was an 11-4 chance to go one better than when second in a mares’ chase at Fairyhouse last month and was not hard pressed to score by four lengths from Prince Zaltar.

“We were kind of expecting that, she’s very fit,” said Connell.

“When she was running over hurdles, off a higher mark, three miles on soft ground was what she wanted.

“Her jumping was a revelation there, she was very quick. She’s not the biggest mare but she’s just very accurate.

“She might squeeze in, off her revised mark, into something nice – a nice staying handicap chase like the Leinster National in Naas.

“I’m delighted for Finny, who is working full time for us. He’s getting the opportunities as we’re splitting the rides between Sean (Flanagan) and himself. He’s a very good rider.”

The father-and-son team of Edward and Kieren Buckley combined to land the Sky Bet Build A Bet Beginners Chase with surprise winner Ney.

Following previous spells with Prunella Dobbs in Ireland and Danny Brooke in Britain, the seven-year-old was a 33-1 shot on his first start for new connections having been off the track since June and not run over obstacles since March 2023.

Ney and Kieren Buckley on their way to victory at Punchestown
Ney and Kieren Buckley on their way to victory at Punchestown (Brian Lawless/PA)

The seven-year-old jumped well on what was his chasing debut and was ultimately well on top as he passed the post with two and a quarter lengths in hand.

Trainer Edward Buckley said: “It’s his first run for us and it’s all down to Kieren. He said to me that the horse was going through the sales ring in Doncaster, I knew nothing about it, he said that he had won on him in Cork and he’d been in England for a while.

“I said we’d have a look at him and made a few phone calls and got a lad to have a look at him to make sure he wasn’t missing a leg or anything! I bought him online for £5,000 and the minute we got him home, I thought he was a right horse.

“He can’t half jump, he’s a big, strong lad and as brave as a lion. He won like he’d win again.”

Following a Saturday four-timer at Fairyhouse, Gavin Cromwell rounded off an excellent weekend’s work by saddling Londonofficecallin (7-1) to land the concluding Albert Bartlett Triple Crown Series Qualifier Handicap Hurdle.



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Salvator Mundi swoops late for Moscow Flyer crown

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Salvator Mundi made odds-on backers sweat before eventually coming good in the Sky Bet Club Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle at Punchestown.

Runner-up to the top-class Sir Gino on his only start in France, the five-year-old finished sixth in the Triumph Hurdle on his first run for Willie Mullins before making the most of having his sights lowered at Tipperary in the spring.

He was an 8-15 favourite to make a successful return in a Grade Two contest the champion trainer has farmed in recent years, with Mikael D’Haguenet (2009), Vautour (2014), Douvan (2015) and Min (2016) among his 10 previous winners.

Salvator Mundi was keen from the off in the hands of Paul Townend and a mistake at the final flight before straightening up for home put him on the back foot.

The son of No Risk At All had to be ridden along to reel in those in front of him in the straight, but quickened up smartly to grab the lead between the final two flights and passed the post with three lengths in hand over stablemate Kel Histoire, who narrowly beat Relieved Of Duties to second.

Paddy Power make Salvator Mundi their 4-1 favourite from 5-1 for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, while Coral trimmed his odds to 3-1 from 6-1.

Jockey Paul Townend with Salvator Mundi
Jockey Paul Townend with Salvator Mundi (Brian Lawless/PA)

“He was fresh and it was messy, so I would say it was going to be hard to be impressive,” said Townend.

“We know he can jump but he didn’t jump well today because I couldn’t let him. He had to dig in then off the bend on tacky ground in the straight. He had to find plenty, it’s hard to be impressive on that ground but at least he won.

“He’ll have to build on it but I think he will. He has gears and on that ground it’s hard to use gears to the best effect. I’d say a stronger run race on looser ground, wetter ground even, would be a help to him.”

Patrick Mullins, assistant to his father, said: “The engine is massive. After half a mile I thought this horse can’t win on his first run in six months when he’s pulling like that on heavy ground.

“Because he was keen Paul didn’t want to let him jump and he didn’t jump, so he’d every reason to get beaten and still won.

“It looked to me like he took a blow after the second-last and you could see Paul went down and gave him a squeeze and came with a run down to the last. He kept everything tight down to the last and there should be a lot of improvement there.

“I think in a faster run race, being let jump, he’ll improve. Paul couldn’t let him jump today because he would have been even keener and jumping his way to the front. I wouldn’t be worried about his jumping in a stronger run race.

“I think he’s probably had a hard race today and I wouldn’t be surprised if he went straight to Cheltenham.”



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Lecky Watson makes all for Punchestown prize

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Lecky Watson delivered a fine front-running performance to claim top honours in the Sky Bet, For The Fans Novice Chase at Punchestown.

The Grade Three contest has an illustrious roll of honour, with Carefully Selected, Envoi Allen, Bob Olinger and Spillane’s Tower among the recent winners.

Having proved too strong for Supreme Novices’ Hurdle hero Slade Steel on his chasing debut at Naas last month, the Willie Mullins-trained Lecky Watson was a 5-4 favourite to follow up in the hands of Paul Townend and was soon bowling along at the head of affairs.

Down Memory Lane, last seen finishing third in the Grade One Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown, was always Lecky Watson’s nearest pursuer and looked a major threat jumping the second fence from home.

However, the market leader found more once challenged and while he was untidy at the final obstacle, he was in the clear and went on to score by eight lengths.

Down Memory Lane was a clear second, with his stablemate Farren Glory the only other finisher in third after Ifiwerearichman crashed out when still in contention at the last fence.

Coral cut Lecky Watson to 12-1 from 16-1 for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

Lecky Watson and Paul Townend after winning at Punchestown
Lecky Watson and Paul Townend after winning at Punchestown (Brian Lawless/PA)

Townend said: “He enjoyed the scenery anyway, I had a job getting him to concentrate.

“At the fourth and third last when we were going on were the best jumps he threw, but the engine is in there and he settled it very quickly.

“He’s probably more mature this year as when Mark (Walsh, riding Down Memory Lane) did come with me, he wasn’t trying to charge off.

“The engine is there but we’ll have to work on his jumping, I suppose. It was frozen all week and we couldn’t give him a refresher either which probably didn’t help.

“He settled it quickly and they were no slouches behind him. I always thought he was a stayer but he was just so hard on himself. If he relaxes more it’s out (in trip) rather than back you’d be going.”



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‘Efficient jumping’ helps Ile Atlantique stay unbeaten over fences

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Ile Atlantique looks set to take high rank over fences judged on a dominant display in the Racing Post Novice Chase at Naas.

Twice placed in Grade Ones over hurdles last season, including a narrow defeat in the Lawlor’s of Naas Novice Hurdle on this card 12 month ago, the Willie Mullins-trained gelding made a fine start to his chasing career at Navan and was a 13-8 chance to follow up at Grade Two level under Paul Townend.

Ile Atlantique’s supporters will have had few concerns, with the seven-year-old travelling strongly throughout the two-mile journey before moving into the lead in the back straight.

With the stands’ rail to help, Townend always looked happy he had the chasing trio covered from the home turn and he was pushed out from the final fence to score by five lengths, with Firefox second and 11-10 favourite Inthepocket only third.

Mullins said: “His efficient jumping won it for him. He loves that ground and from an early stage you could see he was jumping more efficiently than everything else.

“He’s matured a lot and got stronger than last year, which is a big help, and fences might just be the making of him. Paul says when he sees a fence, he measures it himself and it just seems natural to him.”

Coral cut Ile Atlantique to 8-1 from 20-1 for the Arkle at Cheltenham in March and the Irish equivalent at next month’s Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown could be next on his agenda.

Ile Atlantique with connections after winning at Naas
Ile Atlantique with connections after winning at Naas (Alan Magee/PA)

“We just have to keep that improvement in him for the season. His season tapered off a bit last year and maybe it was because of the drying ground in the spring,” Mullins added.

“He’s one that we can now go two miles or two-and-a-half. We’ll look at the Dublin Racing Festival and see which direction we go.

“Majborough would be in the two-mile race (Irish Arkle) and maybe he could go along with him. We have a few for the two-mile-five-furlong race, which would look the place where Ballyburn would go”



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