Mixed fortunes for Mullins
Willie Mullins endured a day of mixed fortunes in the major events at Fairyhouse with two Grade One triumphs soured by the fall of great hope Mikael D'Haguenet today.
The champion trainer headed to County Meath with a glittering array of talent and his day got off to the perfect start as exciting recruit Zaidpour struck gold in the Bar One Racing Royal Bond Novice Hurdle.
The youngster had shone brightly on his Irish debut at Punchestown in November and was well supported into 4-7 favouritism to follow up.
Given a confident ride by Paul Townend, the four-year-old eased into contention before the turn for home and zipped away from Perfect Smile to score by 12 lengths.
Winning owner Rich Ricci said: "That was great and he was very, very impressive. Wow - that was just awesome.
"Paul said that was easier than when he won his maiden hurdle. That's not taking anything away from the other horses, but Paul said he came on brilliantly and had them all the way."
Paddy Power make Zaidpour 5-1 from 12-1 for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, while he is 9-2 favourite from 10-1 for the longer Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle.
"He'll be entered in both races and we'll take it from there," Ricci added.
"It looks like he could run in either race, but he was impressive today over two miles, so I would be tempted to go back over two again."
Mullins said: "I'm delighted with his progress. He was keen early but he jumped well after settling after three hurdles.
"He is in the Future Champions Novice Hurdle (December 27) and there is the Deloitte Novice Hurdle for him as well (at Leopardstown in February)."
Mullins' day got even better in the Bar One Racing Hatton's Grace Hurdle as his star hurdler Hurricane Fly made a most impressive return to action.
Connections had felt that a race-fit Solwhit could prove too strong for Hurricane Fly on his first start of the season, but they need not have worried.
Travelling with his trademark panache under Townend, he loomed up to challenge his market rival at the last and bossed an argument on the run-in by a length and a half.
"I thought Solwhit would definitely have a fitness edge on this sort of ground," said Mullins.
"I was more than surprised that he was able to come out with a performance like that.
"There was so much traffic problems coming round the bend, but he had plenty in the tank and pulled his way through.
"We will see how he comes out of the race. It's so close to Christmas and Leopardstown's Festival Hurdle.
"We'll see what happens, but if the races are there we might have to run and then try to get another run into him before Cheltenham.
"There's probably the Irish Champion Hurdle as well. Those are the two immediate races that come to mind."
Hurricane Fly is 7-2 joint-favourite alongside Menorah with sponsors Stan James for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.
And so the Mullins show moved on to the Bar One Racing Drinmore Novice Chase, with Mikael D'Haguenet making his first start in almost 600 days and his first outing over fences in Ireland.
The hot favourite travelled and jumped with plenty of enthusiasm, but Gordon Elliott's Jessies Dream (7-2) also cruised through the race in the hands of Timmy Murphy.
Mikael D'Haguenet looked to be travelling the stronger of the pair before the final obstacle and even appeared to take it in his stride.
But he crumpled to the ground on the other side, leaving Jessies Dream - a former Mullins inmate - to come home five lengths clear of Realt Dubh.
Mullins said: "His inexperience came against him at the last where he just stumbled on landing after jumping well.
"Hopefully he'll learn from it and it won't affect his confidence. That's novice chasing."
A delighted Elliott added: "That's my first Grade One and it is great to do it with the owner's (David Johnson) first horse in training in Ireland.
"He wants further and better ground and he might go to Kempton for the Feltham Novices' Chase at Christmas."
Mullins and Townend would still go on to complete a big-race hat-trick on the card, however, as Golden Silver (4-6) landed the O'Connell Group Hilly Way Chase for the second year in a row in taking fashion.
"Paul was very good on him. I thought he was a bit far back, but Paul knows the horse very well," said Mullins.
"He'll go for the Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase at Leopardstown at Christmas now."
