Punch drunk
Mullins’ joy as Allaho floors rivals with stunning performance in Gold Cup romp
ALLAHO put up an imperious display when proving his stamina to claim the Punchestown Gold Cup.
The dual Ryanair Chase winner had not run over three miles since meeting with defeat in the Savills Chase of 2020 – and in the interim he’s well and truly shown himself to be the best chaser in training over two and a half miles.
But following on from another dominant showing at Cheltenham, champion trainer Willie Mullins was confident enough to go up in trip.
Paul Townend rode him as if there was absolutely no doubt about his stamina and so it proved, as the 6-5 favourite easily swept aside last year’s winner Clan Des Obeaux (11-2) to win. Al Boum Photo (20-1) was third, with Kemboy (40-1) fourth.
Allaho is 8-1 from 20s for the Cheltenham Gold Cup – a race won this year by A Plus Tard, also owned by Cheveley Park.
Mullins – who saddled four winners last night – said: “Paul didn’t take any prisoners there, he told me he was going to jump out and he said to me, ‘He’ll stay won’t he?’, to which I replied, ‘Of course he will!’.
“So that was his plan. Al Boum wanted to jump out too and so did Kemboy but Paul said he wanted to jump out over the first two and see who would be with him and ride a race from there. As it turns out only Clan Des Obeaux was able to stay with him.
“Bryan Cooper rode Al Boum Photo and said he’d never ridden in a faster Gold Cup in his life, it was end-to-end and good to see.
“He just got beaten as a novice at Cheltenham over three miles when he was up in front taking something on but he’s a lot more mature now.
“I don’t know about the King George but that opens up a lot more options for him now.
“You could probably say King George the way he jumps.
“He’s some engine and I just hoped he could do what he did there today. I was a bit worried he could only do that over two and a half but now he can do it over three and he’ll be more mature next year. He’s only eight.
“We’ve Galopin Des Champs as well ( for the Gold Cup) but we know from experience, hopefully they’ll be there next spring. Horses don’t always come round the following season, hopefully these two do.
“I don’t know about three and a quarter (miles) for Allaho but I do think he’s better going left-handed. That extra quarter-mile is tough when you know what he can do over two and a half.”
Meanwhile, Mullins’ The Nice Guy (15-8 fav) followed up his win in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham by taking the novice hurdle, seeing off stable companion Minella Cocooner (9-2).
The maestro trainer also enjoyed a one-two in the bumper with Facile Vega (8-15) made to work hard for victory by Redemption Day (10-1).
And Royal Rendezvous capped a memorable night for Team Mullins by taking the handicap chase at odds of 12-1.