Willie Mullins admitted being in shock when Vautour (Fr) (Robin Des Champs {Fr}) crashed out in the G1 Melling Chase at Aintree on Thursday but it was back to business as usual for the Irish champion trainer when two of his Cheltenham heroes Yorkhill (Ire) (Presenting {GB}) and Douvan (Fr) (Walk In The Park {Ire}) followed up with more Grade 1 success at Aintree on Saturday. Paul Townend deputised for the injured Ruby Walsh aboard the pair and he had tough time settling Yorkhill in the G1 EZ Trader Mersey Novice Hurdle. The chestnut constantly fought for his head and kicked through numerous hurdles but such is the level of his ability that he could still change gear after the last to repel the challenge of Le Prezien (Fr) (Blue Bresil {Fr}) by two and a quarter lengths. “Paul [Townend] had a horrible ride – I think we'll put a different nose band on the horse next time. He was just too free and there were not enough other horses in the race to give him cover,” said Mullins after the race. “I was amazed that after pulling so hard and making a mistake at the last he still won. He must have a huge engine. He looks Champion Hurdle material, yet he could easily go novice chasing next season – it's a hard one,” added Mullins.
It was rather more plain sailing for Paul Townend half an hour later when Douvan stretched his winning spree to ten in the G1 Doom Bar Maghull Novice's Chase. The 6-year-old is a magnificent specimen and he took over from the weakening Alisier D'Irlande (Fr) (Kapgarde {Fr}) before the second last before easing clear on the bridle to beat The Game Changer (Ire) (Arcadio {Ger}) by fourteen lengths. “That was some experience. I was doing a half-speed everywhere,” said Townend. “He had a little look between the last two [fences]), I gave him a squeeze and I've never felt anything pick up like it. I had so much horse underneath me. He covers so much ground and does everything so easy,” added the rider. Mullins has long held Rich and Susanna Ricci's star in the highest regard and said, “I've told everyone before that I've never seen a horse like him on the gallops. He's never been off the bridle.”
ThistIecrack untouchable…
There was a certain deja vu about seeing the Mullins machines follow up their Cheltenham victories and it was also more of the same from Thistlecrack (GB) (Kayf Tara {GB}) who looked quite untouchable in the G1 Liverpool Stayers' Hurdle. The G1 World Hurdle winner set out to make all under Tom Scudamore and he was in a different league to his rivals with Scudamore actively restraining the 8-year-old entering the home straight while is rivals were being hard ridden. Coasting clear under minimal urging Thistlecrack crossed the line seven lengths clear of Shaneshill (Ire) (King's Theatre {Ire}) to give trainer Colin Tizzard a Grade 1 victory on each day of the three day Grand National Meeting. In what is surely a golden age for jumps horses and despite just seeing Douvan's demolition job it is hard to argue with Colin Tizzard when he said, “He never came off the bridle, I've not seen anything like that. As long as the ground is safe at Puncheston we'll go.” What a prospect Ireland's premier jumps racing festival in three weeks time is shaping up to be.
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