Say Again says it all at Ballybrit
Mutakarrin made a gallant attempt to emulate stablemate Ansar’s feat of a year ago by adding the Guinness promotion to an early hurdles victory during the week, only surrendering the advantage to the winner after the final flight.
In a race in which only a handful of the 22-strong field got into serious contention, Say Again travelled strongly for Cullen who delayed his challenge to Mutakarrin until the final flight, landed running and was soon in command for a two length success.
To his credit Mutakarrin (12-1) kept on bravely under a 2lb penalty for jockey Barry Geraghty to hold on for the 30,000 euro second prize by the minimum margin from the top weight Just Our Job (25-1) with Touch of Love next best in fourth.
‘‘This horse won a couple of races nicely for us earlier in the year and was lighter than ever today. But I was a little worried he might not get up the hill in that dead ground,’’ said winning trainer Nolan who has placed the grey shrewdly for owner-breeder Sean Duggan. ‘‘I told John Cullen to take his time, go the shortest way round and hold onto something if he could for the climb to the post and it worked out very well.’’
The winner's prize of 91,175 represented by far the most rewarding victory enjoyed by the owner, trainer and jockey, but plans for Say Again are fluid and he may not run again for a couple of months.
