Hi all.
The UK jumps season came to an end at Sandown on Saturday. Inside today’s main piece you can read my thoughts on a dramatic final day of action at Sandown. Plus, there’s a selection from this afternoon’s Windsor fixture.
Mullins’ Strength in Depth Decides Trainers’ Title
Saturday didn’t quite match its billing as the Trainer’s Championship decider between Willie Mullins and Dan Skelton. Even though Skelton went into the day ahead of Mullins, the firepower Mullins was able to unleash on Saturday meant there was only going to be one winner. The title race was effectively won by race four when Kitzbuhel finished third for Mullins in the Grade 2 Select Hurdle.
Mullins had three winners on the day and had the second, third, fourth and fifth in the Bet365 Gold Cup. His final winner came in the concluding 2m 4f handicap hurdle courtesy of Jump Allen ridden by Harry Cobden. Cobden is now 4 – 6, 5 places when combining with Mullins.
Gaelic Warrior Impresses with Dominant Oaksey Chase Victory
The first of the Willie Mullins winners was Gaelic Warrior, who was too classy for his eight rivals in the Grade 2 Oaksey Chase. Mullins also had the second and fourth in the race. Gaelic Warrior’s mind has really been focused on the job on his last two starts. He’s settling much better and that, combined with a big engine, makes him a high-class chaser on his day. You would expect that connections will aim him at next season’s King George Chase at Kempton.
Il Etait Temps Returns to Deny Jonbon in Celebration Chase
Jonbon was beaten fair and square by Il Etait Temps in the Grade 1 bet365 Celebration Chase. The winner was returning for the first time since winning at the Punchestown Festival almost 12 months ago. It was another great training performance from Willie Mullins, albeit in Saturday’s column I did highlight Il Etait Temps’ excellent record fresh.
Maybe Jonbon was feeling the effects of a couple of hard races but take nothing away from the winner. He jumped and travelled well on the good ground for jockey Danny Mullins. He’s a high-class two-mile chaser and arguably the best in training. A Champion Chase contender for next season for sure, although I suspect flatter tracks might suit him better than Cheltenham.
Blueking d'Oroux Holds On; Kitzbuhel Keeps Mullins in the Frame
Blueking d'Oroux got a good front-running ride from Harry Cobden to land the bet365 Select Hurdle. A return to a sound surface also helped, as he held off Salver by a head at the line. Just half a length back in third was Kitzbuhel, who didn’t get the clearest run two out and was briefly outpaced. However, he stayed on strongly up the hill and was closing at the finish, only for the line to come too soon. His effort effectively sealed the Trainers’ Championship for Mullins.
Resplendent Grey Sparkles for Bowen
Regular readers know my admiration for Sean Bowen. He landed a nice bet for me on Friday, but even when he’s not on one of my selections, I marvel at his strength in the saddle. That power was in evidence on Fairlawn Flyer in the Highland National at Perth — and again in Saturday’s bet365 Gold Cup.
Bowen needed every ounce to get Resplendent Grey up and collar Lombron in the final 50 yards.
First-time cheekpieces galvanised Resplendent Grey. He jumped better and travelled sweeter than in previous runs over fences. Even so, it was Bowen’s relentless drive that made the difference between finishing second and getting the win.
Despite a mistake at the Pond Fence, where Rachael Blackmore briefly lost an iron, the strong-travelling Lombron looked the winner after the last. He couldn’t hold off Bowen’s powerpacked finish but remains a promising 6-year-old who can win a nice handicap chase next season.
Third was the 100/30 favourite High Class Hero, who proved his stamina for marathon distances on handicap debut. I was on the fourth, Spanish Harlem, who ran a cracker up, having been up with the pace all the way. He landed a nice each-way return at 25/1, and he raced like needs further than 3m 4f. Fifth was Grand National third and top weight Grangeclare West.
The National Hunt Chase form from Cheltenham is working out well. Winner Haiti Couleurs followed up in the Irish Grand National, and now the fourth home has taken the bet365 Gold Cup. Shame the fifth, Transmission, was a late scratch from the race.
Sadly, Willie Mullins’ Dancing City fell at the fourth and suffered a fatal injury.
What an end to the season it’s been for Champion Jockey Sean Bowen.
Fitness Edge Makes Expert Witness a Key Player at Windsor
6:30 – Handicap (Class 4) – 1m 2f
Expert Witness has run well on both starts for her new yard this year. She was beaten just a length when finishing second of ten at Leicester (1m 4f) 24 days ago. Quick ground is a big plus for her, and race fitness is firmly on her side. Expert Witness also ran well when finishing runner-up on her only previous start at Windsor last summer, which adds another positive. Despite the drop back in trip she should go well.
In tomorrow’s column, I’ll have some future winners for you. Plus, I’ll be looking at the best of the action on day one at the Punchestown Festival.
Good luck with your Monday bets.
John
Mullins is just greed nothing clever running 6 in a race we called them farmers in the old days