Rejuvenated El Fabiolo storms to victory at Leopardstown
El Fabiolo and Paul Townend win the QuinnBet Hurdle at Leopardstown for trainer Willie Mullins. Pic: Healy Racing
Four-time Grade One-winning chaser El Fabiolo, rejuvenated over hurdles this winter, romped to victory, at 2/7, in the QuinnBet Hurdle on the first day of Leopardstown’s two-day March meeting.
Sent to the front by Paul Townend before halfway, the Willie Mullins-trained nine-year-old in the familiar colours of Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, asserted in the closing stages, powering clear to slam stable companion and seasonal debutant Soir De Garde by 21 lengths, with early leader Maxxum in third.
“We were going that slow that I decided to let him roll along,” said Townend, “He’s enjoying life and took on his hurdles well and won in great style.
“Things didn’t work out the last day (in the Irish Champion Hurdle), but I think he could be competitive at a good level over hurdles – he seems a happy horse over hurdles and, although you can never say never, I can’t see him going back over fences.”
On his 48th birthday, Gordon Elliott was on the mark when Josh Williamson partnered Playtime to an emphatic win in the Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle, heading Ehteyat before the final flight before forging clear to score by eight lengths.
Representing Elliott, Aidan O’Ryan commented, “He was very keen early on, but he’s learning. He’s a grand horse and he should give the lads (the West Of The Sannon Syndicate) plenty of fun.
“They’re an Irish-American bunch and the big aim will be a trip to Far Hills next October. But he’ll be a fun hors eon better ground for the summer, over hurdles and on the flat.”
Odds-on favourite Grey Jude, representing the King brothers, was turned over by the Emmet Mullins-trained Vitorio Piel (Donagh Meyler) in the opening Connolly’s RED MILLS Auction Novice Hurdle, taking command before the final obstacle before scoring by six and a half lengths.
“He’s just coming to himself and that was a nice performance,” said Mullins, “It was nice to see him hit the line so well. And the final of this series, at the Punchestown festival, is the big aim for him.”
Meyler completed a double when landing the Dublin National Handicap Chase on the well-backed, Sarah Connell-trained Promontory, who mastered Slotty Dotty on the run-in and won by six and a half lengths.
“Special thanks to Aidan Kelly, who has done a lot of work with this horse and who told us that this race would be ideal for him,” explained the winning trainer.
“This was only his second handicap and you saw how well he stays. Hopefully, he can keep progressing and we’ll try to find another suitable staying handicap for him.”
The featured QuinnBet Handicap Chase went to O’Toole, a second winner of the day for the Munir/Souede partnership, landing the listed prize for trainer Stuart Crawford and the owners’ retained rider J J Slevin.
Crawford admitted, “We though the world of him as a bumper horse – he was second in a Grade One in Punchestown. He’s ten, but there isn’t much mileage on the clock – he’s had a few problems. He’s entered for Cheltenham, but this was a good ‘pot’ and we’re delighted to win it with him. We’ll take our time with him but might look at a national for him, whether the Irish or Scottish.”
And Declan Queally, who will be Cheltenham-bound with I’ll Sort That next week, struck with promising newcomer Adaboy Mushy (7/4 favourite) in the bumper.
The Blue Bresil gelding made all and toughed it out in the closing stages to hold Way With Words by two lengths, prompting his trainer/rider to comment, “He’s a nice horse, a fine big horse. He’s been working well with good horses at home, but he’s still green in his ways. He should improve with this experience under his belt and is a horse with a future.”
