Champion showing by super Solwhit
This is an old cliche, but it is no great exaggeration to say that racing was the real winner at the end of a mighty contest.
The old warrior Hardy Eustace tried to make all, but was at the head of affairs on sufferance and it was always only a question of when the big guns made their move.
Sizing Europe arrived tanking early in the straight, but again cut out disappointingly and dramatically.
Heading to the last, Barry Geraghty made his move, sending the champion hurdler, Punjabi, for home.
Solwhit, who seemed to hit a flat spot in the vicinity of four out, was now in top gear and flying after the new leader.
Punjabi still held a narrow advantage over the flight, but on the flat it was Solwhit who buckled down best.
Davy Russell gave him a couple of back-handers and, through the last 100 yards or so, was content to ride hands and heels.
Solwhit kept finding more and was a short head to the good at the line. Truth to tell, it was a snug short head!
For trainer, Charles Byrnes, it was yet another indicator of his burgeoning talent. “To win at Cheltenham (Weapons Amnesty) was great, but this is unbelievable,” said Byrnes.
“I was worried when he dropped back a bit, but he’s a horse who battles. The Champion Hurdle will now be the target.
“I would say he will stay at home until then, although I haven’t planned anything. He can go on any ground and is the best horse I’ve ever trained.”
Russell, commenting on the fact Solwhit lost his place at a vital stage, said: “I thought we were going plenty quick enough on the ground and was never worried.
“I was into a rhythm and didn’t want to change it. To be honest, I didn’t think Barry’s horse would find as much as he did on the run-in, but I could have given my lad a slap if there was a need.”
Regarding the rest of the card, it was essentially business as usual, with Ruby Walsh and Willie Mullins combining for a treble, highlighted by the superb Mikael d'Haguenet in the Grade 1 Land Rover Champion Novice Hurdle.
Mikael made it six straight wins since coming from France to Mullins and this was yet another breathtaking display.
He hardly broke sweat for most of the contest, although Walsh had to ask him to go and get front-running China Rock racing to the final flight.
Mikael d’Haguenet quickened in a flash, however, flew the hurdle and burst away to beat stable companion, Cousin Vinny, a comfortable four lengths.
“Both horses will go novice chasing next season,” said Mullins. “If they don’t take to it then they can go back hurdling.
“Mikael is definitely finished for the season, but there's a chance Cousin Vinny might run again.
“I was very happy with Mikael coming, he was doing everything right at home, but Cousin Vinny was working out of his skin.”
Walsh, who has long been a huge fan of Mikael d'Haguenet’s, said: “He’s a machine, a proper horse.”
For most of the three miles and six furlongs of the Eventus Marquees Handicap Chase you wouldn’t have wanted to be on eventual winner, Mullins’ Ballytrim.
He was nearer last than first and going nowhere, but when Walsh is on your side then you always have a chance.
Gradually, Ballytrim warmed to his task and began to stay on dourly entering the final mile. He charged into contention on the run to the last, led halfway up the run in and powered clear to win decisively in the end by two lengths from Rock Diplomat.
“The plan was to ride him out the back, but obviously he completely switched off,” reported Mullins. “Ruby said he was the first horse beaten.
“He is a handicapper and we will aim him for a National, maybe an Aintree National, or the Hennessy at Newbury.”
It was Walsh and Mullins again following the Betfair Novice Handicap Chase, this time with Equus Maximus.
“He disappointed a few times and we were probably fortunate he was on such a favourable mark,” said Mullins.
Tranquil Sea kicked on three out and Equus Maximus initially struggled to close him down. But he too found plenty for Walsh driving, joined issue at the last and then roared away on the level.
“He likes that ground and would prefer a longer trip,” revealed Mullins. “He could also be a National or a Hennessy horse.”
Astonishingly, Mullins heads into the final day of the Festival with a whopping 11 successes to his credit, while Walsh’s total stands at nine.
Copper Bleu, who had run two cracking races at Cheltenham and Aintree, showed what a tough customer he is when taking the Star Best For Racing Coverage Novice Hurdle.
On the pace throughout, he seemed to be holding well-backed Zaarito, who was, admittedly, challenging hard, when that one took a crashing fall at the last.
“He stays two and a half miles, but is effective at two on very soft ground,” said trainer, Philip Hobbs. “He will go novice chasing next season.”
The Mullins-family success story continued when Patrick drove the Willie Austin-trained once-raced Blazing Tempo to land the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Bumper.
Yesterday’s attendance was 28,592, as against 30,184 last year.
