Mullins magic at Punchestown as Sober and Kappa Jy Pyke seal graded double
MULLINS MAGIC: Sober and Paul Townend win for trainer Willie Mullins. Picture: Healy Racing
Willie Mullins, currently on holiday, completed a graded-race double with Sober and Kappa Jy Pyke in Punchestown.
Successful on his hurdling bow at Killarney back in May and off the track since winning the ‘Queen Alexandra’ at Royal Ascot, Sober impressed when giving Closutton a fifth straight win in the Grade 2 Sky Bet Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle.
Ridden by Paul Townend, the uneasy 9/4 shot loomed alongside odds-on favourite Road Exile turning for home before asserting readily to score by five and a half lengths in the three-runner affair.
“You’d have to be happy with that,” declared David Casey, assistant to Mullins. “He had a break after Ascot and we were expecting him to improve from today. He was sticky at the first, but was good after that. He probably needs further, but his flat class told out there. Paul said he quickened very well, better than he expected.
“He’s entered for the two-mile Grade 1 at the DRF, but it might come too soon. Willie will make a plan for the spring. I’d say he’ll probably be heading back to Ascot and, with Australian owners, who knows where he might end up next November.”
Earlier, Danny Mullins brought stable second-string Kappa Jy Pyke (5/1) from last to first to take the Grade 3 Sky Bet Super Sub Novice Chase, arriving with a well-timed challenge to lead on the run-in and beat Jacob’s Ladder by three and a half lengths, with the winner’s stable-companion and 4/6 favourite Predators Gold third.
David Casey explained “We thought he was a decent horse last year, but he disappointed after he won his maiden hurdle.
“I’d say he strengthened up over the summer and looks like being a better chaser. He won well in Thurles. He jumped well today – he was quick early. And Danny said he relaxed and picked-up and put it to bed well.
“Two and a half miles is probably a good trip for him. And we’ll try to find something for him over that sort of trip again.”
A master of his craft, Derek O’Connor won the Sky Bet-sponsored Amateur National for the fifth time (he won it first on David Kiely’s Karlo way back in 2005) when giving Showurapprecation a patient ride to score emphatically from Ney.
The eight-year-old is trained for J P McManus by Jonathan Sweeney, who said, “That’s brilliant – it’s great to get it. Derek is top-class and gave him a lovely ride. He jumped very, very well and is a solid stayer. Today was the plan and we’ll chat with Frank (Berry) about where we go next.”
Kevin Murphy, from Kanturk, County Cork, admitted being “a bit overwhelmed” following his first success in the saddle on Diamond Dollar in the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Chase.
The 5/1 shot came from the back of the field in a strongly-run race and, ultimately, ran out a wide-margin winner from 50/1 shot Just For Yuse, prompting winning trainer Charles Byrnes to comment, “He dropped him out and the strong pace suited him. He definitely needs soft ground. And we’ll mix and match with him for the rest of the winter.” Byrnes completed a Sunday double when I Started A Joke, ridden by his son, justified 8/11 favouritism in the Sky Bet, For The Fans Maiden Hurdle, staying on dourly to beat market rival Springhill Warrior by eight and a half lengths.
“It’s great to get the win,” said Byrnes, “It was probably a hot maiden the last day in Limerick. He looked in both today, before the straight, but kept galloping. He’ll go handicapping and will step-up in trip.”
Winner of a ‘point’ for Sean Doyle but well-beaten in three starts since joining Mouse Morris, Banter At The Bar (Gavin Brouder) made a successful start over fences in the Sky Bet Club Beginners Chase, beating John The Diva by five lengths.
“That was grand – he didn’t make many shapes over hurdles, so it’s lovely to win with him,” said Frank Berry, representing owner J P McManus, who recorded a treble on the day. “Fences and soft ground suit him and you couldn’t go far enough with him. He’ll tip away in handicaps.”
The third McManus winner came in the concluding Albert Bartlett Triple Crown Series Qualifier when the Jessica Harrington-trained joint top-weight Powerful (Simon Torrens) overcame favourite San Hilario.
“He’s a big horse to organise and he learned a lot in Leopardstown,” said Harrington. “He’s better going right-handed and loved stepping-up to two and a half miles. He’ll probably come back here for the final (at the festival) and I’ll talk to Frank about where he’ll go before then.”
