Paparrazi Kid too resolute for Felix Yonger
Emmet Mullins, who looked after Simenon on his globe-trotting exploits in the autumn, dictated the pace on course and distance winner The Paparrazi Kid. The six-year-old jumped well and, turning for home, was stalked by his two stablemates.
A good jump at the second last proved crucial as a confident-looking Paul Townend, on the hot favourite, quickly went to work between the last two fences. And, although Felix Yonger stuck to his task well on the run-in, he never looked likely to get to grips with Mullins’ mount, which prevailed by a length and a half. The winning rider explained: “I thought he’d run well and probably finish second to Felix Yonger. I wasn’t planning to make the running, but he winged the first and settled well in front. He was electric at every fence and, when I saw the other two lads looming up before the second last. I knew I had plenty in the tank. He’s a smart horse and he’s improving all the time.”
Paul Townend had enjoyed better luck earlier when Smashing, successful on his Irish debut at Fairyhouse, initiated a double for Willie Mullins when getting the better of market rival Carriganog in the O’Kelly Bros. Demolition & Environmental Contracts Hurdle.
“He’s a bonny horse and did everything right,” said Townend after the four-year-old French-bred triumphed by seven lengths, “He jumped well and I knew I had the opposition covered turning for home. He won on heavy ground in Auteuil, so we knew he’d handle those conditions. I don’t know where he’ll go next, but he should keep improving.”
Gordon Elliott, in Kempton to saddle Mount Benbulben in the King George, tasted success at all three Irish meetings yesterday, his Limerick success coming courtesy of 1/2 favourite Mooonshine Lad, a nine lengths winner of Highbrow Blue. Winning rider Keith Donoghue commented: “He’d didn’t do a lot in front and would be a better horse in a better race. He has plenty of pace and is a nice prospect.”
Pat Fahy was another trainer to strike at more than one venue. Successful with Western Boy in a maiden hurdle at Leopardstown, the County Carlow handler struck with favourite Stack The Deck in the bumper at Greenmount Park, the 11/10 jolly stretching clear up the straight to enhance Katie Walsh’s already impressive strike-rate in Limerick.
Fahy said: “I was a bit worried about the ground. But he has shown us so much at home that I knew he was a good horse. He won well and we’ll probably take him to a bigger track for a winners’ bumper, to find out more about him.”
The Mouse Morris-trained Horendous Hulabaloo (Mark Enright) got favourite-backers off to a flying start when getting the better of Feenakilmeedy in the opening maiden hurdle while the Martin Ferris-ridden Emily Gray justified 3/1 favouritism for the Hyde Family in the Guinness Mares Handicap Hurdle.
