Mixed fortunes For Mullins at Auteuil
Although the Willie Mullins-trained Hurricane Fly maintained his unbeaten record over timber in the Prix de Longchamp, the rest of the County Carlow trainer’s squad failed to hit the bullseye.
Pomme Tiepy could not get competitive in the ultra-valuable Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris, which went the way of the Philip Carberry-ridden Princesse D’Anjou.
Earlier on the card, Jayo fared best of the Mullins squad in finishing a creditable fifth in the Prix La Barka.
The extended two mile five furlong hurdle went to the well-fancied Monoalco, with Cooldine, Scotsirish, Arthur Moore’s Mansony and the Alan King-trained Nenuphar Collonges all disappointing.
Mullins said: “Hurricane Fly jumped well, settled in behind, pulled very hard and made a very big mistake at the third-last, where I thought his chance was gone.
“Ruby (Walsh) just gave him the chance to get his wind back and he was back on the bridle.
“It was a very good performance considering his lack of experience and how hard he pulled. I thought he was my best chance of the day.”
Mullins added: “Jayo ran great and jumped well. I’m very happy with him. I thought he was going to win and he was looking good at the third-last but just flattened out in the last bend.
“Cooldine jumped right, which is not like him. So I hope that he is all right and that nothing is wrong with him. He jumped well, but he jumped right. So I was disappointed with him. I thought he would stay on better, but he didn’t stay on, on the day. So we’ll have to see.
“I thought he would be one for the Grande Course de Haies, but I’m not sure that we will bring him back.
“Scotsirish travelled very well but every time he hit the soft patches, he lost all his action.”
Pomme Tiepy finished eighth in the feature and Mullins said: “She jumped fantastic. We went round behind, hoping that she would get some place money and with about four to jump, she moved up into a nice position and then I think she just got tired.
“But she could be back for the Prix de Drags. We are absolutely delighted with the way she jumped. She took to the track like a duck to water.”
