WILLIE Mullins bagged his fourth successive victory in the Red Mills Chase at Gowran Park last Saturday, but there was a slight upset with Classic Getaway eclipsing the stable hotpot.

Saint Sam was a warm order in the Grade 2 contest and the 2/5 shot made the running in the two-and-a-half-mile event. He folded tamely when tackled by Classic Getaway going to the second last though, as Danny Mullins produced the 9/2 shot from off the pace.

The Getaway gelding was in control down to the final fence and went on to post a cosy six-length success. “It was a good performance, he has been improving all season,” said Mullins afterwards.

“Danny was very keen to stress that the three fences in the straight made a big difference to him, because his jumping brought him into the race without any effort and then he had that final kick to go and win the race.

“It was nice for Cheveley Park to have a Red Mills winner. I’m not sure where we’re going to go with him next.”

Mullins mania

The two feature races on the card went to Closutton with Kitzbuhel justifying his short price in the Red Mills Trial Hurdle. Paul Townend’s mount travelled well to lead turning for home, but had to see off Sir Gerhard from the second last and then Break My Soul from the final flight.

The 2/7 shot asserted on the run-in to post a two-and-three-quarter-length win in the colours of Joe Donnelly. “It was a nice performance. I loved the way he jumped, he’ll have no trouble going over fences,” said Mullins.

“I love the way he stayed on. It looked like the race was over after he had taken on Sir Gerhard and then he had to find again to take on Break My Soul. It’s the sign of a real good horse that he’s able to pick up a second time, which he did.

“I’m probably looking at Liverpool more so than Cheltenham with him, with the timing of the race. The two-and-a-half-mile Aintree Hurdle would be a big possibility. I think he’d love to step up in trip.”

When life gives you Lemons

Townend was also on board Blue Lemons in the opening Sea Moon & Jukebox Jury Maiden Hurdle, as the 5/6 shot initiated a treble for Mullins.

The Sullivan Bloodstock-owned gelding claimed Kool One over the last to record a convincing three-length success on his jumping debut. “He did a lot right and I think there is plenty of improvement to come from him,” said Townend.

“He took his blow and ran on again. It’s a different discipline to what he’s used to, obviously, but he took to it really well. I think he’ll be a good fun dual-purpose, because with that attitude, I’d say you’ll be able to mix it with him.”

THE Gunn family looked to have unearthed a potential star in Aqua Force, who ran out a highly impressive winner of the concluding Ronan Lawlor Memorial bumper on the card.

Sent to post a 20/1 shot, the Workforce mare led under six furlongs from home, under Niall Moore, and powered clear down the straight to record a stunning 28-length success.

Trainer Michael Gunn hadn’t had a winner under his name for over 28 years and his son Miguel has taken on a more prominent role in recent years: “I’ve been looking after things for a couple of years. I’ve only six in at the moment and I’ve a job in the morning.

“She was very impressive. I always thought a fair bit of her at home, but that’s above and beyond what I thought to be honest. The phone is hopping in my pocket at the moment!

“I’d say someone might own her next time. She must be worth a fair few quid after that, that was a savage performance first time out in a bumper.”

Going up

A horse on an upward curve is the Eoin Doyle-trained Midweek Voices, who ran out a game winner of the O’Driscolls Carey Cottage Handicap Chase.

Cian Quirke led going to the last on the 4/1 shot and he knuckled down to record a half-length win over Soloman Lane.

“It’s great to win here today on a local day. He won the last day and he was well in at the weights today, so we said we’d give him a go,” said Doyle of Edward Walsh’s gelding.

“Cian was patient on him. He jumped his way into it and came home well. He’s definitely improving, before he wasn’t finding much off the bridle, but he seems to be staying at it a bit more now. Hopefully, there is another good handicap in him, I’ll have to talk to Eddie.”

THE Gavin Cromwell-trained Bridie’s Beau lunged late to land the spoils in the Albert Bartlett Triple Crown Handicap Hurdle.

Despite being easy to back, the 9/1 shot finished off best in the two-mile-three heat, under Kieren Buckley, to pip Killaney King close home for a head success.

The Blue Bresil gelding, owned by Owen Daley, had opened his account at Punchestown last month and Cromwell said afterwards: “That’s great. He’s taken a step forward. He travelled brilliantly and jumped brilliantly and he was gutsy too. He met the second last on the wrong stride and lost a bit of momentum, but he was good and brave.

“He has surprised us, I thought for a long time he was going to struggle to ever win a race. He has enough size and scope to keep improving.”

Comeback

In the QuinnBet Beginners Chase over a two-and-a-half mile trip, Harry Des Ongrais built on a promising comeback run to open his account over fences in good style. Rachael Blackmore produced the 8/1 shot to lead before the last and he went on to post a convincing four-and-a-quarter-length win over Lombron.

“That was a nice one, I’m delighted with that,” said trainer Henry de Bromhead.

“We hoped he’d run well and Rachael was brilliant on him. It’s great to get it for Kenny (Haughey). He ran well on his first run, when two miles was probably a bit sharp for him. The step up in trip suited him, he saw it out well and picked up well.”