Mill confirmed as new kid on the block

THOSE who thought Newmill's powerful display when landing the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham was something of a fluke had their answer at the opening stage of the Punchestown Festival yesterday.

John Murphy's star eight-year-old destroyed the opposition with a relentless exhibition of staying power, scorching to a 15 lengths defeat of Fota Island.

Even though he ‘only’ beat Fota Island nine lengths at Prestbury Park, talented pilot Andrew McNamara thought he was a more potent machine on that occasion.

Reported McNamara: “He felt a better horse at Cheltenham, more alive in himself. He went a great gallop today, but rubbed a few fences. This has been some year and winning Grade Ones is not a bad habit.”

The only real concern for Newmill, backed from a generous 6-4 to 5-4, came at the second fence. He hit it a fair old thump, but it seemed to take little or nothing out of him.

He wasn't foot-perfect either at the fifth last and again three out, but it made not a jot of difference.

Indeed, from the fourth last Newmill, carrying the colours of Mary Hayes from Rosscarbery, Co Cork, exploded clear and it was only a case of flicking over the last two fences to record another easy success.

Murphy, who has clearly done a tremendous job with Newmill, commented: “He is a horse who has been underestimated. He can go the same speed over a mile, two miles or two and a half. He has a high cruising speed and jumps brilliantly, although he was a bit patchy today.”

Newmill is, of course, in the ACC Bank Hurdle here on Friday, against the likes of Brave Inca, Macs Joy and Hardy Eustace.

But Murphy quickly dismissed any notion he will turn out for that. “It would be greedy to run.”

Newmill will now be left off until next season, when Murphy is planning a similar campaign to the one about to draw to a close.

“I wouldn't be anxious to send him to England too often, it takes the zip out of horses”, he said. “He will definitely be given a few pops over hurdles.”

William Hill tightened Newmill from 10-1 to 7-1 second favourite for the Champion Chase in March. They have Kauto Star as their 6-1 favourite.

Paddy Power were obviously impressed and they hammered Newmill to 5-1, from 10's, but Cashmans left Newmill at 12-1 and have Kauto Star at the head of the market at 5-1.

Iktitaf, absent since suffering a bad cut to his knee when beaten by Mounthenry on this track in early February, streaked away with the VC Bet Champion Novice Hurdle.

“His vet, Jimmy Kelly from Naas, did a fantastic job stitching him up”, reported Noel Meade, who ran three in the race.

Ruby Walsh came in for a chance ride on the winner and grabbed the opportunity with both hands. He was in no hurry, but produced Iktitaf with typical timing to sweep past heavily-backed favourite Straw Bear on the approach to the last.

Tony McCoy sent Straw Bear on heading to the fifth, but was left with no choice, because the pace in the first half of the contest was woefully slow.

“He was the only Grade One winner in the field”, said a delighted Meade. “After his injury he was held up for a month and then we started with him again. We will start dreaming about the Champion Hurdle now.”

Meade's Sweet Wake again disappointed, finding nothing before the home turn as he struggled in sixth of seven. “All three of my horses are now finished for the season”, said Meade.

Sweet Wake was Paul Carberry's first ride since Aintree, but his ankle problem reacted and he was stood down for the rest of the meeting.

Meade was on the mark as well in the concluding Murphy International Bumper when well-backed Cleni Boy eased to the front turning in and soon scampered seven lengths to the good for Nina Carberry.

“He has been working very, very well and we think he's a good horse”, said Meade.

Willie Mullins' Missed That came right back to his best form when storming away with the Ellier Developments Novice Chase in the hands of David Casey.

He has been plagued by poor technique, but hardly put a foot astray here, powering clear of Slim Pickings from the final fence.

Mullins also saddled Our Ben (Ruby Walsh), who seemed decidedly unenthusiastic, to finish third and revealed he decided the riding arrangements.

“It does appear as if he (Missed That) goes better with David aboard”, said Mullins.

“Ruby rode him the last two times and it just didn't happen.

“I will have to speak to the owners, but Missed That and Our Ben could now go for the French Champion Hurdle.”

Missed That is owned by Cork woman, Violet O'Leary, and she completed a double, along with Mullins, when Joueur D'Estruval took the Evening Herald Handicap Hurdle.

Capably handled by Richie Kiely, the grey swept ahead early in the straight to beat stable companion Adamant Approach.

Mullins completed a spectacular 839-1 treble when Glencove Marina made all the running to take the Goffs Land Rover Bumper.

“He ran as his work suggested he would”, said Mullins. “He did a fantastic bit of work during the week and was given a super ride by Katie (Walsh).”

Abram's Bridge won the DNG Nationwide Ladies Cup, under a particularly fine drive from John Thomas McNamara.

The winner made a bad mistake early on, at Ruby's Double, but McNamara sat tight. Abram's Bridge was soon prominent, led two out and held on well on the run in to beat Wonderkid.

Said trainer, Enda Bolger: “He will probably run back here on Friday. He was a bit ignorant, but J T excelled on him and good ground makes all the difference to the horse.”

For most off the season, Pat Fahy couldn't buy a winner, but his charges have hit form with a vengeance of late and his Wills Wilde coasted ahead going to the penultimate obstacle to land a hat-trick of successes in the Masterchefs Hospitality Handicap Chase.

Fahy is now tempted to put Wills Wilde away with that major Festival at Ballybrit at the height of the summer very much in mind.