Mrs Paddy Power Mares Chase (Grade 2)

A NEW mares’ race at the Cheltenham Festival can mean only one thing and, as expected, this prize went to Willie Mullins as Colreevy edged out her stablemate Elimay in a terrific finish where both mares gave their absolute all.

For her part the Paul Townend-ridden Colreevy did exceptionally well to carry the day as she was lumbered with a Grade 1 penalty. However that top level success was achieved against geldings which was notable in itself and a Grade 2 success at Thurles in January looked quite impressive, given that it was achieved at the expense of the subsequent Kim Muir heroine Mount Ida.

After giving Allaho quite a fright at the same Thurles meeting where the Niall Flynn-owned Colreevy warmed up for Cheltenham, Elimay headed the market at 6/5 and she gave her all to try and carry the day but Colreevy was unyielding and ultra tough.

When Paul Townend finally asked her for everything on the run-in Colreevy found more and she edged ahead nearing the line to prevail by half a length. In another Irish-trained clean sweep Shattered Love ran her usual honourable race to lie two and three quarter lengths back in third.

“A few of mine disappointed today and we were getting worried but at least those two mares showed their form and they are two especially brave mares who produced a great finish,” commented Mullins.

The trainer also reflected on Al Boum Photo’s brave Gold Cup defence: “Paul had him in the right position all the way and he has run a great race and we are very happy and proud of him. He missed a couple of fences and Paul said that the two fences that won it for him last year might have cost him this year. The winner has very good form around here and A Plus Tard is probably a Gold Cup winner waiting to happen.”

Galopin too good for O’Keeffe and Mullins

Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle

THE action at Cheltenham 2021 will forever be remembered for Henry de Bromhead’s feats but six wins, including three of the four feature races, still wasn’t enough to land the Waterford man the leading trainer award, which was snatched by Willie Mullins when Galopin Des Champs won the final race for claiming professional riders.

This contest is often a helter skelter affair and there was drama early on when Folcano collided with another runner and came down, in turn taking out the well fancied Gavin Cromwell-trained Gabynako.

Galopin Des Champs raced a little bit freely early on, but less so than his better fancied stablemate Gentleman Du Mee who gave him a lead all the way around.

Coming down the hill, the eye was drawn to the patiently ridden Langer Dan, the Imperial Cup winner, who was chasing a £50,000 bonus, but Galopin Des Champs still travelled powerfully for Sean O’Keeffe, nipped up the inside heading into the straight and took over the lead heading to the last.

Langer Dan was produced beautifully by Lorcan Williams but couldn’t pick up as well as the winner, the pair sprinting away from the running-on Flouer, who caught Whatsupwithyou for third on the line.

It was a first Festival success for the up-and-coming winning rider whom Willie Mullins praised afterwards.

“Sean got away early, saw that our other horse was in front and slotted Galopin Des Champs in about fourth place and he bided his time to hope that it would open up for him,” he said.

“He still bided his time and waited and waited which is a real sign of a good pilot in the making.”