3 minute read

It could have been worse as an outside won two of the last races but 6 oods-on favourites saluted!

There were 3 of them from Willie Mullins's yard with Paul Townend riding, starting off with the hugely talented novice Galopin des Champs, enthusiastically saluted by the crowd hen he won the Gr 1 Novice Chase by 9 lengths over Master McShee whose trainer Paul Corkery made the best post-race comment when he said his immediate plans were to go to the pub and have a few beers.  Third home was another Mullins runner Gaillard du Mesnil.

And the next came in the Dublin Chase when Chacun Pour Soi meant it winning by 12 lengths from Dunvegan.  Mullins is considering changing the prep for Cheltenham for the horse who has not lived up to his home form when traveling to England.

And the third was Sir Gerhard who won the Irish Novice Hurdle by 6 lengths from Three Stripe Life with Colonel Mustard third.

Change of winning trainer when the wonderful Honeysuckle won the Irish Champion Hurdle for the third year running to a huge reception from the crowd, who had indeed sent her off with a huge cheer much to the delight of her jockey and regular partner Racheal Blackmore and trainer Henry de Bromhead.  She is the only mare and one of only three horse to have won this race three times.  Many are talking about her as the greatest mare ever in hurdles history and this was her 10th Grade 1 race.  Can't wait for Cheltenham.  She defeated Zanahiyr by 6 ½ lengths.