Prolific Little King Robin keeps on rolling
The six-year-old has been one of the success stories of the National Hunt scene in Ireland this year, striking six times before her latest assignment, most recently clinching her first black-type success in Listed company at Punchestown
Stepped up in class again for this Grade Two, which was won by subsequent Champion Hurdle hero Jezki 12 months ago, Little King Robin soon adopted her customary front-running role and quickly opened up a big lead on the rest of the field in the hands of Mark Walsh.
Willie Mullins’ Arctic Fire (2-1 favourite) closed up ominously rounding the home bend and Little King Robin briefly appeared a sitting duck, but Bowe’s mare refused to go down without a fight and found more for pressure than the market leader to take the prize by three lengths.
Last season’s Triumph Hurdle winner Tiger Roll was disappointingly pulled up lame.
Bowe said: “It was a big decision to come here (was in a race at Wetherby on Saturday), but she had been winning her mares’ races. We thought we would have a crack at it. She got passed and she battled back. She’s tough.
“The long-term plan is the (OLBG) Mares’ Hurdle (at the Cheltenham Festival). She’ll probably have one more run before then and it could be at Christmas in Leopardstown for the mares’ race.”
Despite defeat in the feature event, it was still a good afternoon for the champion trainer.
Mullins struck the first leg of a double in the EBF Lough Construction Ltd Mares Novice Hurdle as Morning Run made it five wins from five starts in ultra-impressive style.
Ruby Walsh soon let the 8-15 favourite stride to the front and aside from a stumble after the final flight, she was simply faultless as she eased to a seven-and-a-half-length success.
Mullins said: “She’s improving all the time. She’s a very slick jumper and is very sharp. She was a bit novicey at the last. We’ll keep upping her in grade. She’s entitled to make the jump to Grade Two.”
Mullins teamed up with son Patrick to land the concluding bumper as 4-5 favourite Valerian Bridge completed a hat-trick in the colours of Gigginstown House Stud.
“He has improved and improved all season. He has improved more than we thought he would,” said Mullins. “I’m not sure if he’ll go for a fourth bumper. I’m not sure whether he’ll handle real winter ground.”
Apache Stronghold (3-10 favourite) is the apple of Noel Meade’s eye and the high-class novice hurdler jumped beautifully on his way to making a winning debut over fences in the Porter & Co. Beginners Chase under Paul Carberry.
Meade said: “I couldn’t be happier, he jumped like a buck. He will improve for that, but he was fit enough for the race.”
