Treble for Willie Mullins brings meeting win tally to 12
To no one's surprise, the meeting belonged to trainer Willie Mullins, and with Dinoblue adding to State Man and Final Demand's victories, he completed a treble on the day to bring his tally for the meeting to date to 12.
For owner JP McManus, it has also been a great meeting, and Dinoblue's victory in the Grade Two Hanlon Concrete Irish EBF Glencarraig Lady Francis Flood Mares' Chase was his second of the day and eighth of the meeting.
Only four went to post in this race but there has scarcely been an easier winner at the festival than this lady, who cantered to a 35-length victory under Mark Walsh.
'She was very good today, although I was hoping that Allegorie might get her own back after Cheltenham - but it wasn't going to be that way,' said Mullins.
"Allegorie is in foal to Jukebox Jury so she's retired now, but Dinoblue looks to be getting better and better and hopefully we have her for next season. I don't see her going to stud for a while yet.'
McManus's earlier winner came courtesy of the mercurial Its On The Line, who chalked up a third consecutive victory in the Event Power Champion Hunters Chase. British raider Viroflay made this an interesting race with a bold bid from the front and the winner, ridden by Derek O'Connor, had to work hard to reel him in.
For winning trainer Emmet Mullins, it was the start of a terrific evening as he emulated his uncle by completing his own treble, which returned almost 193-1.
Sea Music provided the second leg when upsetting favourite backers by getting the better of Blizzard Of Oz in the QuinnBet Novice Handicap Chase. Donagh Meyler got stuck in traffic on his way to the course and missed an intended ride in the previous race, but he suffered no such issues on course as he and his 28-1 mount hit the front in plenty of time and stayed on well to repel the late challenge of the market leader.
The final leg of Emmet's three-timer came in the bumper when the well-backed Soldier In Milan, ridden by the excellent John Gleeson and carrying the colours of Paul Byrne, made a winning track debut in the Overlander Bumper.
In the day's opener, the Stanley Asphalt Hunters' Chase for the Bishopscourt Cup, there was early drama as favourite Fountain House made a mistake at the third, leaving his rider with trouble with his irons. To Eoin Mahon's credit, he took the time to resolve the matter, and then delivered Ian McCarthy's charge with a well-timed run to land the spoils.
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