SIX OF THE BEST
ON a day when State Man gave Paul Townend his Champion Hurdle breakthrough, Willie Mullins and his stable jockey shared an opening day Grade 1 treble as Irish challengers took six of the seven races.
“She’s a Champion Hurdle mare,” declared Mullins after 8/13 favourite Lossiemouth outclassed her rivals in the Close Brothers Mares Hurdle, beating a trio of Henry de Bromhead-trained challenge rs, Tel me something girl, Hispanic Moon and Lantry Lady in great style to give Ireland’s champion trainer his 10th win in the race.
“We made the right decision going for this race – she’s only five and will head to Punchestown now before being trained for next year’s Champion Hurdle,” he added. “She’s got everything and Paul was so cool on her.”
And Paul Townend added: “She’s brilliant, the finished article.”
Lossiemouth is owned by the Riccis whose colours were also carried to victory by the exciting but quirky Gaelic Warrior in the Arkle, first leg of the Mullins/townend treble.
The strong 2/1 favourite did everything right, jumping impeccably and, when asked the question by Townend, eased past Found A Fifty before the final fence before powering clear by eight and a half lengths.
Mullins said: “The hood made a big difference – Paul said he could ride a race on him and that he jumped straight. He clearly has enough class for two miles, but could spin out to the Ryanair trip.”
And Townend said: “That was as good a ride as I’ve ever had on him. He jumped well and his stamina came into play.”
Appropriately, the Mullins family dominated the Maureen Mullins National Hunt Chase as 15/8 shot Corbetts Cross, trained by Emmet and ridden by Derek O’connor, pulverised the Willie Mullinstrained 7/4 favourite Embassy Gardens by 17 lengths.
Henry de Bromhead had made the perfect start to the Festival when Slade Steel, a 15th Festival winner for Rachael Blackmore (13 at Grade 1 level), outpointed the Mullins-trained Mystical Power in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices Hurdle.
“Fair play to the Robcour team – we ran here rather than tackling Ballyburn again (in the Gallagher),” said de Bromhead. “He was brilliant and Rachel gave him a super ride.’
The Joseph O’brien-trained Lark In The Mornin, confidently handled by J J Slevin, bolted-up in the Boodles as Irish juveniles filled the first five places.
“We were very worried about the ground, but decided to run,” stated O’brien. “J J gave him a fantastic ride.”