01-05-2025
Mighty Majborough brings up double century for Mullins
Majborough's wide-margin success in the Grade One Barberstown Castle Novice Chase provided trainer Willie Mullins with his 200th winner of the season in Ireland and his promising young chaser did it in a style befitting the landmark.
Readily making amends for his near miss at Cheltenham, he led quite early in this race and dominated thereafter despite a tendency to jump out to his left. Only By Night, who finished a place in front of him in the Arkle, showed a good attitude to hold onto second place, but there were 14 lengths between the first two.
"He's always been inclined to do a little left shuffle when he's not sure of himself, but as long as he knows what he's doing, I don't really care,' declared Mullins.
'He's a huge horse but he's very light framed and is an athlete every time you look at him. He's well over 17 hands. From the moment he stepped off the lorry at home, I thought he could be some article.
'Looking at Fact To File and then at him, I was thinking there were similar attributes — they're tall, long athletes with a huge stride and great jumps.
'Looking at him in the parade ring today, there wasn't one ounce of spare flesh on him, and I couldn't have galloped him one more time. He's only five and a summer's grass will really make him mature strong.'
Thinking of next season, Mullins added: "I'd imagine you'd have to look at the Champion Chase, but he could go up in trip either. I think he's easy enough to ride."
Gordon Elliott broke his duck for the week when the reliable Teahupoo successfully retained his Ladbrokes Champion Stayers' Crown. In a slowly run affair, there were plenty of opportunities to find trouble in running, and the Robcour gelding didn't manage to avoid it all.
However, when push came to shove from Sam Ewing, the right response was there, and he raced clear down over the last and strode on powerfully to the line to beat Asterion Forlonge, just as he did 12 months earlier.
'This horse has got me out of trouble a few times and he's done it again,' said a relieved Elliott. 'He's a star of a horse. I was panicking turning in, to be honest, but if we had had a couple of winners, I'd have had my chest out.
'He's so laidback at home you nearly start questioning yourself, wondering if he is a bit heavy going around the ring. Sam gave him a no-nonsense ride. I'm very lucky to have the riders I have, the staff I have and the owners.
'I was dreaming last night if Teahupoo could win today and Meath could win the Leinster final it would turn what has been a rough season to a great season.'
For the winning rider, it was a fifth Grade One of the season, and sixth in all.
'I'm delighted for the horse, the Robcour team and Gordon,' said Ewing. 'He was a bit unlucky to run into Lossiemouth at Fairyhouse on his first start of the season and unlucky to be beaten at Cheltenham, but it's absolutely brilliant to win today.
'Gordon told me to kick on off the bend — Jack (Kennedy) did something similar last year . It was hustle and bustle, but I pulled him out a bit wider than I was because I just wasn't happy with how it was going to unfold going down the back and thankfully, I got a nice position then.'
