SIR RULES SUPREME

WILLIE MULLINS won the Weatherbys Champion Bumper for the 11th time as Sir Gerhard held off stablemate Kilcruit to give Rachael Blackmore another winner (above).

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 (inset) 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.

“The first night he came, we didn’t have any of the feed he’d been eating at Cullentra, so we just gave him our usual feed – and he didn’t miss an oat.

“He’ll probably go for the Champion Bumper at Punchestown. We’ll have a word with (owners) Cheveley Park, but that would look the target.

“They are two good horses, and I’m delighted to have them. Looking at it, Kilcruit looks like a Ballymore horse and Sir Gerhard a Supreme type (next season).”

Sir Gerhard showed a fine attitude, to go with his evident speed.”

Mullins added: “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.

“He obviously has a lot of natural ability. He’s a fine, big horse who will be made for jumping fences at some stage.

“We were fortunate enough to get him. When he came to us he was very fit, and I just wanted to get him settled in, and I was surprised how well he settled in.

“It was all about having the horse relaxed, and it was all about hoping he was fit enough – which he was, and he has the ability.”

BETTER known for his achievements in the world of greyhound racing, trainer Paul Hennessy and 7lb claimer Richie Condon (on his first ride at the meeting) tasted festival success for the first time in sensational style when 33/1 shot Heaven Help Us romped to an impressive win in the Coral Cup.

The home-bred mare, one of just three horses trained by Hennessy in Paulstown, County Kilkenny, made all the running and powered up the hill to slam Creigneche by nine lengths.

A delighted Hennessy declared, “It’s unbelievable. We needed a miracle and heaven helped us today. We didn’t know if she’d stay, but the plan was to jump her out and stay out of trouble, the same as in Leopardstown.”

And Cork man Condon (inset) admitted: “I think I’m dreaming!

“I couldn’t believe I got such an easy lead in such a competitive race. She was in her comfort-zone and she roared up the hill.”

WILLIE MULLINS, who has enjoyed tremendous success at the meeting with mares over the years, will saddle four for the inaugural running of the Grade 1 Mrs Paddy Power Mares Chase.

The quartet will be headed by Elimay, whose only defeat in four outings over fences came at the hands of Allaho in Thurles, and novice Colreevy, a Grade 1 winner in bumpers and over fences.

In a field of ten, Irish hopes will also rest on Denise Foster’s former festival winner Shattered Love, the Denis Hogan-trained Moyhenna and prolific scorer and former Aintree Grand

National runner-up Magic Of Light trained by Jessica Harrington.