Blackmore filled with delight after racking up a terrific treble
WILLIE Mullins won the Weatherbys Champion Bumper for the 11th time as Sir Gerhard held off stablemate Kilcruit to give Rachael Blackmore another winner.
Blackmore was landing her third Grade One of the week, having already won the Champion Hurdle on Honeysuckle and the Ballymore on Bob Olinger.
Mullins was keeping up his recent trend of winning the race from outside of his apparent first string — although Sir Gerhard was sent off at only 85/40, having scored twice already for Gordon Elliott before switching stables.
Kilcruit was backed into 10/11 favouritism on the back of a scintillating display at the Dublin Racing Festival but when Blackmore kicked off the home bend, she stole an advantage she would not relinquish.
Having only set what appeared a steady tempo, Sir Gerhard was soon in the clear as Paul Townend tried to close on Kilcruit.
As the line approached, Kilcruit was gaining — but they flashed past the post with Sir Gerhard still half a length to the good.
Mullins said: “I have to say well done to the Cullentra (Elliott) team. He came in great condition.
“He looks to be a natural — he has a huge stride. Rachael let him bowl along, and he was lugging out with her — he’s still a bit green.”
On Bob Olinger, she bided her time before an electrifying burst for home that saw the 6/4 favourite take the honours by seven and a half lengths ahead of Gaillard Du Mesnil.
Blackmore said: “That was fantastic. I’m so delighted for Brian Acheson and his family. They put a lot into the game and to get a win like that is phenomenal — they’ve got a very special horse on their hands.”
Elsewhere, last year’s Arkle heroine Put The Kettle On beat the boys again in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase.
A surprise winner at the Festival 12 months ago, Henry de Bromhead’s mare had stretched her unbeaten record at the track to three on her first start of the current campaign in November.
But despite her excellent record in the Cotswolds, she looked to have her work cut out on her return, having proved no match for Chacun Pour Soi at Leopardstown over Christmas.
Put The Kettle On was in front for much of the contest, but looked booked for minor honours after 8/13 favourite Chacun Pour Soi hit the front approaching the final fence.
However, Aidan Coleman’s mount fought back on the run-in, devouring the hill once again to get up and score by half a length, becoming the first mare to win the two-mile showpiece.
Monkfish maintained his unbeaten record over fences with a comprehensive success in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase.
It was not entirely plain sailing for odds-on backers, with The Big Breakaway more than matching Monkfish in the jumping department for much of the three-mile contest, before Townend’s mount displayed his superior class.
Heaven Help Us turned what is usually a competitive handicap into a procession when making nearly every yard of the running in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham.
Trained by Paul Hennessy, who until recently was better known as a greyhound handler, the 33/1 shot was left clear at the last when Blue Sari fell, but the winner had flown in any case.