Late Yorkhill decision pays a rich dividend for Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh
Yorkhill’s final destination was not known until Monday afternoon but the decision to run in yesterday’s Neptune Novices’ Hurdle rather than the Supreme on Tuesday, reaped rich reward when the imposing gelding maintained his unbeaten record in completed starts in all spheres with a most impressive display.
Quite quirky he can be, but oh so talented. Brought the brave route, along the inside, the 3-1 chance travelled strongly, if a little keenly, until having his momentum checked when he raced up the back of O O Seven on the bend at the top of the hill.
Quickly back on an even keel, Ruby sent him through a gap along the rails when the opportunity arose, and the horse eased through.
From there it was almost formality as he moved clear, jumped the last very cleanly, and stayed on strongly to upset favourite Yanworth, with something to spare.
Walsh, the Festival’s leading rider and now just one winner away from his half century, said: “I buried him down the inner but he didn’t settle great. He jumped super - well, with one or two little mistakes.
“I had intended not to be in front or only upsides going to the last because he doesn’t do a whole lot in front.
“The gap opened at the back going to the second last and I couldn’t resist the temptation. He took me to the last, and I thought, ‘go on if you want to...’
“He pinged the last but as soon as I got in front he just pulled up, with his two ears pricked.
“But he’s a very good horse and it was a good performance. He travelled really, really well.”
When asked about future plans, Walsh added: “He has the pace for a Champion Hurdle but could win the Arkle - but we’ll talk about that tomorrow!”
Alan King, trainer of the runner-up, accepted defeat graciously: They didn’t go as quick as I thought they would, but I’ve no excuses and the better horse has won on the day. I think he must be pretty good.”
Winning trainer Willie Mullins, who was also responsible for fourth-placed Bello Conti, added: “I did have chasing in mind for him, but I’m not so sure now. He’s a really smart hurdler.
“If Ruby thinks he can go down the Champion Hurdle route, we’ll go there.
“Bello Conti is very inexperienced. He is the unopened package – we really didn’t know how good he was and that was very good.”
