A GREAT DAY FOR MULLINS’S
This €50,000 affair looks one of the trickiest events of the day but there is a lot to like about the chances of Chavi Artist.
He looked a chaser on the up when bolting up in a much less competitive handicap at Punchestown last month.
He was then thrown in at the deep end in a high class handicap chase at Leopardstown a few weeks ago and he showed up well to finish seventh to Glamorgan Duke.
He was beaten less than twelve lengths that day and would have been closer only for being hampered by a faller at the second last fence.
Today’s assignment represents something of a drop in class for Chavi Artist and he can take advantage of this opportunity.
The 15/8 chance shook off the favourite Alpha Des Obeaux before the straight and powered away to score by 15 lengths.
“The conditions suited him well, the ground is very heavy out there,” reflected the champion trainer.
“We’ll look at either the English or Irish Grand Nationals with him now and I’d say at the moment we are leaning towards
Liverpool,” he added.
Earlier Mullins fielded four runners in the Grade 3 Winning Fair Juvenile Hurdle and his Burning Victory led home a one-three-four for the stable.
Danny Mullins (right) was also on board this smart looking filly who was having her first start since contesting a Group 3 in France during the summer.
Burning Victory came through to hold every chance after two out and she overcame a clumsy jump at the last to defeat the outsider Great Bear by two and a half lengths.
“I’ll speak to the owner about whether she will go for the Triumph Hurdle now but another option would be to wait for the mares Grade 1 novice hurdle here over Easter,” said Mullins.