Willie Mullins continued to demonstrate his dominance hen he claimed eight races at Dublin Racing Festival, but the highlight of the weekend must have been winning the Grade One Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup with Kemboy.
Danny Mullins who guided him to victory said, “winning the Grade one’s is what it is all about” and paid credit to his cousin David Mullins who recently retired saying if he hadn’t he may not have had the ride today!
The Tattersalls Ireland Spring Juvenile Hurdle was the inaugural Grade 1 on the card today and the favourite Quilixios past the finish post strongly to give Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy their first victory of the weekend and continue Quilixios’s unbeaten record for owners Cheveley Park Stud.
Favourites continued to live up to expectations with Appreciate It claiming the next Grade 1, The Chanelle Pharma Novice Hurdle for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend despite a challenge on the home straight by the Gordon Elliott trained Ballyadam.
Maze Runner broke the trend of the favourites when he won the William Fry Handicap Hurdle at odds of 40/1 under Conor McNamara for Willie Mullins, adding to a successful Dublin Racing Festival for the Mullins, especially as Maze Runner is owned by Jackie Mullins.
Monkfish tasted more Grade 1 glory when winning the Flogas Novice Chase in an effortless display under Paul Townend for trainer Willie Mullins who said it was a flawless race and he was more impressed with him today than any other time.
The first race on the card was the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Paddy Mullins Mares Handicap Hurdle, it was a popular win for Kilkenny trainer, Paul Hennessy, who only has two horses in training, with Heaven Help Us and young Richie Condon on board. It was very poignant to win a race named after the great Paddy Mullins as they were neighbours and Paddy used to bring Paul to the races.
The Gaelic Plant Hire Leopardstown Chase is a historic and valuable race and course specialist, Off You Go, who won dual Ladbrokes Hurdles in 2018 & 2019, was back in the winners circle for Charles Byrnes under the skilful Mark Walsh.
It was a handicappers dreams as there was anyone of twelve coming round the last bend that could have claimed victory.
The last race of Dublin Racing Festival finished as it had started with another victory for Willie Mullins in the Grade 2 Coolmore N.H. Sires Kew Gardens Irish EBF Bumper, where Jody Townend guided Grangee expertly first past the post in a thrilling finish against Gordon Elliott’s Party Central.
Also on the weekend, A Wave Of The Sea landed the €100,000 Matheson Handicap Chase at odds of 12/1 for trainer Joseph O’Brien before Drop The Anchor won the €125,000 Ladbrokes Hurdle at 8/1 for Pat Fahy, with 5lb claimer Simon Torrens riding both horses to success.
