Willie Mullins dominates day 1 of Punchestown Competition

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It was a Grade 1 double for champion coach Willie Mullins on the opening day of the 2023 Punchestown Competition as Facile Vega and Energumene took wins on the Co Kildare monitor.

In a five-runner Champion Chase, the place Mullins offered 4 of the runners, the opposite coming from the Henry de Bromhead yard, it was Rachael Blackmore on de Bomhead’s Magic Daze that minimize out the working.

“The truth that he was capable of do issues incorrect immediately and nonetheless win most likely exhibits he’s an excellent horse”

Paul Townend on a topsy-turvy win for Energumene within the Champion Chase

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— RTÉ Racing (@RTEracing) April 25, 2023

With the odds-on favorite Energumene making an error three from residence, Chacun Pour Soi and Danny Mullins got here on their exterior, and it was 4 Closutton horses battling it out heading to the second final.

With Paul Townend and Energumene on the within of the monitor, Danny Mullins and Chacun Pour Soi lay down their problem, and the race was between them heading to the final. As they went head-to-head up the house straight the Tony Bloom-owned nine-year-old gained the battle of the French-breds as he had sufficient to carry off the 11-year-old Chacun Pour Soi by three-quarters-of-a-length and he took his six Grade 1 victory.

Blue Lord got here residence third with Gentleman Du Mee fourth and Magic Daze the final of the 5 to complete.

Facile Vega gave Paul Townend and Willie Mullins the primary Grade 1 of the 2023 Punchestown Competition. The Hammer & Trowel-owned six-year-old bay gelding, who has completed second to Marine Nationale within the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, upheld that type immediately as he beat two of his steady companions who had completed behind him at Prestbury Park in March, Diverge and Il Etait Temps. The latter was runner-up immediately with Oliver McKernan’s No Trying Again coming residence in third, forward of Discovered A Fifty and Diverge.

Facile Vega has emerged victorious within the KPMG Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown

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— RTÉ Racing (@RTEracing) April 25, 2023

Successful rider Paul Townend admitted he obtained a “little bit of a fright on the third-last, however he lengthened nicely down straight for me once more. We obtained it proper immediately and he confirmed the true horse. I believe when he does get an even bigger impediment in entrance of him, his leaping will come into its personal then.”

Mullins had the treble up by race 5 together with his son Patrick gained aboard Predators Gold within the Goffs Defender Bumper. The Gigginstown Stud-owned four-year-old gelded son of Masked Marvel was bought by Harold Kirk had two lengths in hand on his steady mate Milo Lises, the mount of Jodi Townend, with Gordon Elliott’s Western Fold filling the third spot beneath Barry O’Neill.

Shecouldbeanything, fifth within the Grade 1 Mares’ Hurdle on the Cheltenham Competition final month, gained some compensation with a 4 and a half size success within the opening Listed Howden Insurance coverage Brokers Mares Novice Hurdle. Skilled by Gordon Elliott, the six-year-old daughter of Malinas was a primary winner for Jordan Gainford on his return from damage.

What a return for @GainfordJordan!

The jockey lands the opening race of the 2023 Punchestown Competition on his first journey since his Cheltenham Competition spill as Shecouldbeanything (7/2F) scores at @punchestownrace 🏇 @gelliott_racing pic.twitter.com/MKVWXD4WIy

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 25, 2023

Half an jour later, Willie Mullins doubled-up when taking the Grade B Killashee Handicap Hurdle with Bialystok within the Wealthy Ricci colors. Ridden by Danny Mullins, the winner led residence a 1-2-3 for the champion handler as Tax For Max with Daryl Jacob had been runners-up with Tekao and Simon Torrens claiming third spot.

The opposite Grade 1 on the cardboard went to Mullins, Emmet Mullins this time, as Donagh Meyler steered Feronily to victory within the Dooley Insurance coverage Group Champion Novice Steeplechase over 3 miles.

Feronily, the one horse confirmed on the journey previous to immediately’s race got here residence at 7/1 and have a size and three-quarters to spare over the Paul Townend-ridden Recognize It with James Du Berlais third to cross the ending line.

Feronily has secured a shock win within the Grade 1 Dooley Insurance coverage Group Champion Novice Chase

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— RTÉ Racing (@RTEracing) April 25, 2023

1-2-3 for Willie Mullins.

Bialystok (14/1) runs out a easy winner on handicap debut within the Ricci silks and on this large Competition prize, main residence stablemates Tax For Max and Tekao at @punchestownrace pic.twitter.com/jpFyf9tCiX

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 25, 2023

Three By Two gained The Kildare Hunt Membership Cross Nation Steeplechase for the Girls Perpetual Cup for jockey Tiernan Energy Roche and coach Denis Paul Murphy.