Mullins savours 50th Cheltenham triumph
RUBY Walsh conjured an irresistible run from Nichols Canyon to deny the gallant Lil Rockerfeller and lift the Sun Bets Stayers’ Hurdle, the feature race on the third afternoon of the Cheltenham Festival.
Completing a spectacular treble on the card for Walsh and trainer Willie Mullins, the 10-1 winner was produced with a strong run towards the rail to land the spoils for owner Graham Wylie, already a three-time race victor with the great Inglis Drever.
It was only his second attempt at three miles, but the seven-year-old showed he had no problem getting the trip.
He was held up in the early stages as 2015 winner Cole Harden set a strong pace that had the field well strung out.
When he faded out of contention Lil Rockerfeller set sail for home, but Nichols Canyon was produced to lead on the run-in and score by three-quarters of a length.
Unowhatimeanharry, the 5-6 favourite, was three and a half Ruby Walsh riding Nichols Canyon clear the last to win The Sun Bets Stayers Hurdle Race during St Patrick’s Thursday on day three of the festival meeting at Cheltenham racecourse lengths away in third without ever looking like continuing his winning run.
Wylie said: “When I told Willie to buy a horse for me, he rang me up and said ‘I think I’ve found you the next Inglis Drever.’
“He looks like Inglis Drever as he’s only a pony, but he flew up the hill. Ruby told me he’d ride him like that to make sure he got the trip.
“It wasn’t until approaching the last I thought he might get placed, never mind win.
“With the problems with Faugheen and Annie Power we thought he’d be a Champion Hurdle horse, but it hasn’t gone right.
“It’s only been the last two weeks he’s started to show anything, but this is great. Willie is a genius.”
Earlier in the day, Walsh had won on Un De Sceaux to hand Mullins his 50th career winner at the showpiece fixture.
He said: “He was very keen, I was a little worried with his huge jump at the first but he got him settled.
“When he saw a line of fences he just went for them, but he sort of settled in front. For him, that’s settled.”