Golden arrow shooting for Arkle glory
Golden Silver provided Willie Mullins with a third Arkle Perpetual Challenge Cup Novice Chase success as he rewarded shrewd market support at Leopardstown.
The Irish champion trainer saddled two of the four runners, with Ruby Walsh’s mount Jayo being sent off the 15-8 joint-favourite alongside Forpadydeplasterer. Golden Silver had initially been regarded as a second-string but after sustained support from 25-1 down to 9s landed a gritty success under Paul Townend.
Jayo blundered his chance away at the third-last, and after looking set for a comfortable victory Golden Silver had to find plenty to deny Forpadydeplasterer by a head.
Like Mullins’ 2006 winner Missed That, the winner carries the Florida Pearl colours of Violet O’Leary and was given a 16-1 quote by Ladbrokes for the Arkle at Cheltenham.
Coral trimmed the runner-up to 14-1 from 16s and eased Jayo to 20-1 from 12s.
Mullins said: “When I saw that Jayo was 2-1 and he (Golden Silver) was 25-1 this morning I thought that was a big mistake – he was too big.
“Jayo made a big mistake which is a shame as we didn’t get to see the real Jayo. The race might have come a bit soon after Naas for him too so I’ll forgive him.
“This puts Golden Silver into the picture as one of our top novice chasers.
“He has plenty of speed but I thought he might stay. He didn’t appear to stay in the Drinmore but I’m now wondering whether he wasn’t straight enough for that.
“He never seems to give his all at the first time of asking so he’ll hopefully improve again from here.
“The two-mile trip in the Arkle will suit him and he’ll get a lead the whole way.
“They are both in the Arkle and that is where they will go.”
Trainer Tom Cooper added of the runner-up: “He is in the Arkle and the RSA Chase and we’ll see how the ground is before deciding which race to go for.”
Mullins’ son Patrick completed a double for the family as he braved the driving rain to steer 9-10 favourite Mostly Bob to a debut success in the Sandyford INH Flat Race.
Mullins added: “I am happy that he could carry the weight in that ground, which wouldn’t be to his liking.
“Better ground would suit him much more, and I don’t think he is the type to carry a winner’s penalty in another race.
“I might run him in a maiden on the Flat and then go over hurdles, and I would say the Punchestown Bumper is more likely than Cheltenham.”
Runner-up in the feature events on the card, Barry Geraghty gained some compensation with victory on Roberto Goldback in the Grade Two Synergy Security Services Novice Hurdle.
Leading before the last, Jessica Harrington’s 16-1 chance kept the 2-1 favourite Weapon’s Amnesty at bay to win by two lengths. Oscar Dan Dan was a never dangerous third, 11 lengths away.
Assistant trainer Eamonn Leigh said: “I’m a bit surprised as he didn’t have the experience of some of the horses in the field. He schooled on Friday and was very quick over his hurdles and ran well first time here over Christmas.
“We don’t think he is ready for the hustle and bustle of Cheltenham so we will give that a miss and keep him for Fairyhouse and Punchestown.”
Edward O’Grady earmarked a trip to the Cheltenham Festival for Alexander Severus after the 9-2 shot served it up in the Frank Conroy Memorial Maiden Hurdle.
O’Grady said: “He is not a horse for the Triumph Hurdle but he is possibly one for the Fred Winter. He needs to have three runs for that and getting another one into him won’t be a problem.”
Ruby Walsh conjured a powerful late surge from the Willie Austin-trained Conum (6-1) to narrowly foil Major Sensation in the Foxrock Handicap Chase.
Austin said: “He is a better horse this year for some reason.
“We decided to drop him out today as he likes passing horses, and Ruby gave him a great ride.”
