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.