‘Royal’ seals Mullins’ Cesarewitch double

ROYAL ILLUSION turned the Tote Irish Cesarewitch into a procession at the Curragh.

Giving 17-year-old rider Joey Sheridan a landmark success, the Willie Mullins-trained mare went quickly clear of the field after taking over at the head of affairs inside the two-furlong marker.

The winner’s stablemates Legal Spin and Saglawy had cut out the early running, and while Red Gerry briefly led on straightening for home, as soon as the seven-year-old Royal Illusion went on, the race was over.

Sent off at 10/1 under her 7lb-claiming jockey, Royal Illusion had eight-and-ahalf lengths in hand over Dalton Highway at the line, making it a Cesarewitch double for Mullins, after Stratum struck at Newmarket on Saturday.

Mullins – also on the mark in the Munster National at Limerick with Cabaret Queen – said: “Joey gave her a very cool ride. He’s obviously a talented young guy on the way up and I’ve been hearing only good words about him. I didn’t think she would go on the ground. We have a nice team of staying Flat horses and it’s good to make use of them.”

Revealing ambitious plans for his Cesarewitch stars, Mullins added: “Last night I was thinking, ‘What are we going to do now with Stratum?’ and there is a $2.5million race out in Saudi Arabia. He goes on good ground and she goes on good ground. I’d imagine they will go there if they get an invite.

“It’s on February 29 and is not what I need two weeks before Cheltenham, but for that money we’ll have to go.”

At Limerick, Cabaret Queen spearheaded a fruitful afternoon for Mullins and Paul Townend as she ran away with the JT McNamara Ladbrokes Munster National Handicap Chase.

The seven-year-old was a reserve for the three-mile event, but sneaked in after a couple of horses were taken out and Townend seized the opportunity.

He was positive from the off on Cabaret Queen (9/1) and she was well clear turning for home, clearing the final obstacle in fine style to win by 13 lengths from Spider Web, with Oscar Knight back in third.

Cabaret Queen is now a 14/1 shot with Paddy Power for the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury on November 30.

Townend said: “She jumped like a buck and it means a lot when you can do that around here. She improved again from Listowel and we are learning about her the whole time.”

Darver Star (13/8f) took the other Listed prize, the Ladbrokes Where The Nation Plays Novice Hurdle.

Trained Gavin Cromwell and ridden by Jonathan Moore, Darver Star could now head to Cheltenham next month.