Quevega a hat-trick heroine
It was a tremendous training feat by Willie Mullins to bring her to Prestbury Park for the second year, without a previous outing. You could argue she would have done more on the home gallops, because Quevega landed this doing no more than half-speed.
Partnered with total confidence by Walsh, she coasted ahead between the final two flights to score with her head in her chest.
“It’s been a magic day and I will now enjoy the rest of the week and not worry too much,” said Mullins.
“Ruby’s been fantastic and gets on so well with her, he loves her and they just fire off each other.”
Mullins is now the most successful Irish trainer at the festival with 19 winners to his credit.
Mullins continued: “I thought we were a gallop short this year, but she certainly won very easily.
“We entered her in other races but why look for something else when there is a race in Cheltenham you’ll be favourite for?
“To me, this was always the plan as the race is tailor-made for her. We might go to Aintree with her now, as she hasn’t had too much racing.
“The owners are racing people rather than breeders, so if she’s able to gallop next year, I’d imagine she’ll come back.”
Walsh said: “She’s a super mare, she travels super and apart from the last there were no scares.
“She has so much class, she settles a lot better now and lobs away. She’s a perfect ride.”
“It’s an unbelievable day. People were making a thing of me not riding winners last week, but all you need is the confidence of the people working behind you, and the horses. When you have that, you’re laughing,” he added.
“Racing’s a great game — there’s ups and there’s downs so you take the good days as there’ll be a bad one coming after.”
He went on: “Physically I’ve never felt fitter and I’m 31 so I should know what I’m doing now.
