That's exciting for Mullins
Weatherbys Champion Bumper hero Missed That continued his rapid progress over fences as he pulled out all the stops to lift the Durkan New Homes Novice Chase at Leopardstown.
Willie Mullins’ 10-1 shot found plenty for pressure to hold the renewed challenge of Wild Passion by a length and a quarter, with Kill Devil Hill a distant third.
Justified was sent off the 5-4 favourite but he only got as far as the first fence, crashing through the top and unseating Shay Barry.
That left Mansony and Wild Passion in front and the pair cut out most of the early pace, with David Casey settling Missed That in fourth.
It was just between the three of them turning for home but as Mansony fell at the last, Missed That hit the front.
However, Wild Passion came again and he looked to have just headed his rival before Missed That, running in the colours made famous by Florida Pearl, found more to get back on top close home.
The winner was having only his third start over obstacles and had been a big disappointment when beaten on his debut at Thurles at the turn of the month.
Mullins said: “He’s made a huge improvement in his jumping and I liked the way he picked up from the last. To be honest if he had finished in the first three I would have been delighted.
“We’ll stay at two miles for the time being and possibly come back here for the Irish Arkle on January 29 and then see about Cheltenham.”
Missed That’s success represented a second leg of a double for Mullins and Casey after Clear Riposte sprang a minor surprise when seeing off the 7-2 favourite Artist’s Muse to life the Durkan New Homes Juvenile Hurdle.
Mullins’ charge was sent off a 14-1 shot for the two-mile event but she finished strongly to come home three lengths clear, with Dreux back in third.
“We changed tactics and decided to be up there in the first three or four,” said Mullins.
“David Casey said she jumped and stayed all day and hopefully that run will be good enough to go for the Triumph at Cheltenham.
“We might look at the French Four-Year-Old Champion Hurdle. It’s been a lucky race for the owners as they won it with Nobody Told Me.”
