Mullins saddles pre-Cheltenham four-timer at Thurles as C'est Ta Chance produces

GAME OF CHANCE: C'est Ta Chance and Paul Townend won the (Grade 3) Pierce Molony Memorial Novice Steeplechase. Pic: Healy Racing

The growing sense that the Willie Mullins team is hitting top form at the best possible time only grew at Thurles on Thursday as the champion trainer saddled a fantastic pre-Cheltenham four-timer.

Stamina came to the fore in the feature race of the day as C'est Ta Chance backed up his Gowran Park win on Thyestes Chase day by winning the Grade Three Pierce Molony Memorial Novice Chase.

The second leg of a treble for Paul Townend, the 4-1 shot showed a good attitude to land the spoils.

Nowwhatdoyouthink, the outsider of the six runners, ran a big race to take second ahead of Jalila Moriviere with Soldier In Milan, sent off the 11-8 favourite, a disappointing fourth.

“He didn’t jump a hurdle great but he has more respect for a fence and is in a good vein of form now,” winning jockey Townend said of C'est Ta Chance.

“It was a tough performance to stay going in that ground because we were stuck in all the muck behind them for a long way and I just thought I needed to get out of there and sacrifice the outside ground to get a bit of clear air and he was hardy. He’s putting it together, it was a good step up today and he’ll have to step up again probably but he’s going the right way and he showed a lovely attitude.”

Karamoja got the ball rolling for Mullins and Townend when making all in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Beginners Chase.

The Gigginstown House Stud-owned mare burned punters when disappointing at Naas in January but those who kept the faith here never had a moment’s worry as the 5-4 favourite sauntered to a 12-length victory.

“She was a bit keen on her first run and was probably just a bit flat on the back of that the last day but this was more like it and she jumped a lot better,” Townend said.

Karamoja was the first success of the day for Willie Mullins. Pic: Healy Racing

Danny Mullins took a heavy fall when Fancy Girl fell at seventh fence, a spill that saw the jockey stood down for the remainder of the card.

Townend’s third winner of the day came in the Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle as the inconsistent Blizzard Of Oz got the better of a good tussle with Timeless Treaty, the front two finishing miles clear of 5-4 favourite Western Walk, the only other finisher.

“They’re hitting form at the right time anyway,” Townend said. “I think that’ll do his confidence the world of good. There were still a couple of sticky jumps, I thought the second last might cost me, I needed to jump it better and it would have got me further but he found plenty for me which he hasn’t always done. That’s just a sign that he’s in good form. He’s a hard horse to hit right with but the win will do him the world of good.” 

Asked about the importance of having winners ahead of the biggest week on the racing calendar, Townend quipped: “Better than three falls anyway!” He added: “Nothing beats riding winners for confidence. It’s like anyone playing any sport, you need confidence to be going into a big meeting.” 

Anna McGuinness was in the plate for the third Closutton winner as Arslan ran out a smooth winner of the Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle.

The only moment of concern for the 4-7 favourite came at the first flight when he had to be nimble to avoid main market rival Fixios after the Noel Meade-trained horse crashed out of the contest.

Anna McGuinness on Arslan won the Adare Manor Maiden Hurdle. Pic: Healy Racing

“He’s a gorgeous big horse and everything came together for him today,” McGuinness said. “It was brilliant to get the opportunity. He’s very straightforward, he jumped brilliantly for me, and travelled through the ground.

“He’s always showed a bit at home and he does have a turn of foot. I’m very grateful to Willie and the owners for giving me the opportunity today.” 

Reflecting on the early drama, McGuinness added: “That was the main one out of the way, he was quick to manoeuvre around him and he had a bit of luck too. After that it was fairly straightforward.” 

The Peter Fahey-trained Live To Laugh was a poignant winner of the Duggan Veterinary Supplies Handicap Chase, scoring in the hands of Ethan O’Sullivan a day after his grandfather passed away.

“His grandad died yesterday so this is great for him, it’ll give the family a lift,” Fahey said.

The finish of the day came in the Easyfix Equine Handicap Hurdle where the Eoin Griffin-trained Lough Nigara (7-2) edged out Oaks Soldier by a nose, the front two finishing 17 lengths in front of Jisco Du Brem in third.

The finale produced a surprise as 18-1 shot Bon Bon Fizz, trained by Paul O’Flynn, pulled well clear of Thinkitdontjinxit and Looking For Eight in the bumper.