Energumene odds-on for Champion Chase after blitzing rivals

ON THE NOD: Meetingofthewaters and Michael O’Sullivan (far side) gets up to beat Benz (nearest) and Krabat (centre) in the Bar One Racing Handicap Hurdle. Picture: Healy Racing

With only three rivals, the Willie Mullins-trained Energumene turned the Grade 2 Bar One Racing Hilly Way Chase at Cork Racecourse, Mallow, into little more than a schooling exercise. Nevertheless, a sizable crowd braved the cold to see the Champion Chaser in action and were not disappointed as he blitzed his rivals.

For a 1-9 favourite, the only danger ought to be the obstacles, and so it proved. He was perfectly good at most of them, but there were a couple of small errors along the way, enough to keep things interesting for onlookers. Thankfully, he negotiated them all and ultimately ran out the easiest of winners, with Epson Du Houx a clear second.