Latest news with #RoyalInfantry
Irish Independent
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Willie Mullins makes further inroads into Dan Skelton's British Trainers' Championship lead after Perth double
Skelton led the way to the tune of £57,777 prior to the start of play, but Mullins was the first to strike a significant blow in Scotland, as Kiss Will and Paul Townend picked up £22,780 with victory in the British EBF Gold Castle "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle. Skelton did saddle the runner-up Royal Infantry to lessen the blow, but Mullins then pocketed another £25,889 in total after the Townend-ridden Fun Fun Fun and Paggane provided the master of Closutton with a one-two in the Quilter Cheviot Fair Maid Of Perth Mares' Chase. Townend told Racing TV: "It (Perth) is a brilliant place to come, it's a great atmosphere and lovely weather and they've done an incredible job with the ground. I couldn't give them enough plaudits for that, it's beautiful out there. "I don't know what happened to Kiss Will in Cheltenham, but he travelled well throughout the race today and I hope he can have a bright future. "Fun Fun Fun made harder work of it than I was hoping, but there was plenty in the tank when I needed it and she's done an important job today." On the title race, he added: "I'll leave someone else to figure the maths!" While Mullins was the big winner on the day, Skelton did not finish the afternoon empty handed, with Etalon's triumph in the Phil Nelson Capercaillie Handicap Chase at Perth earning him £8,713 and the subsequent success of Jeffery's Cross in the hunter chase at Ludlow worth a further £3,388. Madajovy also placed for Skelton in the bumper at Ludlow, while his last runner of the day, Jo's Rainbow at Taunton's evening meeting, was fifth to add £273 to the pot. Etalon's rider Harry Skelton said: "He's been difficult to get right at home, but he's brought it all together hopefully when needed. I'd say we need every penny we can get!" Mullins' sole runner on Thursday is Magic McColgan at Perth, while in contrast Skelton sends out a formidable team of 18 across meetings at Perth, Warwick and Bangor. Mullins is not represented at all in Britain on Friday, with Skelton declaring two runners at Perth and two at Chepstow, potentially giving him the opportunity to further add to his total ahead of what promises to be an enthralling final day of the season at Sandown on Saturday. Following collaboration between the British Horseracing Authority and Sandown, the high-profile meeting will begin 30 minutes earlier than originally scheduled to ensure ITV viewers can see the final six races on the card and therefore the conclusion of the trainers' championship. Sandown's clerk of the course Andrew Cooper said: "All of us at Sandown Park are excited about bringing the curtain down on what has been a fantastic season and showcasing its thrilling conclusion to fans on course and at home."
North Wales Chronicle
23-04-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Perth double sees Mullins make inroads into title lead of Skelton
Skelton led the way to the tune of £57,777 prior to the start of play, but Mullins was the first to strike a significant blow in Scotland, as Kiss Will and Paul Townend picked up £22,780 with victory in the British EBF Gold Castle 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle. Skelton did saddle the runner-up Royal Infantry to lessen the blow, but Mullins then pocketed another £25,889 in total after the Townend-ridden Fun Fun Fun and Paggane provided the master of Closutton with a one-two in the Quilter Cheviot Fair Maid Of Perth Mares' Chase. Townend told Racing TV: 'It (Perth) is a brilliant place to come, it's a great atmosphere and lovely weather and they've done an incredible job with the ground. I couldn't give them enough plaudits for that, it's beautiful out there. 'I don't know what happened to Kiss Will in Cheltenham, but he travelled well throughout the race today and I hope he can have a bright future. 'Fun Fun Fun made harder work of it than I was hoping, but there was plenty in the tank when I needed it and she's done an important job today.' On the title race, he added: 'I'll leave someone else to figure the maths!' While Mullins was the big winner on the day, Skelton did not finish the afternoon empty handed, with Etalon's triumph in the Phil Nelson Capercaillie Handicap Chase at Perth earning him £8,713 and the subsequent success of Jeffery's Cross in the hunter chase at Ludlow worth a further £3,388. Madajovy also placed for Skelton in the bumper at Ludlow, while his last runner of the day, Jo's Rainbow at Taunton's evening meeting, was fifth to add £272 to the pot. Etalon's rider Harry Skelton said: 'He's been difficult to get right at home, but he's brought it all together hopefully when needed. I'd say we need every penny we can get!' Mullins' sole runner on Thursday is Magic McColgan at Perth, while in contrast Skelton sends out a formidable team of 18 across meetings at Perth, Warwick and Bangor. Mullins is not represented at all in Britain on Friday, with Skelton declaring two runners at Perth and two at Chepstow, potentially giving him the opportunity to further add to his total ahead of what promises to be an enthralling final day of the season at Sandown on Saturday. Following collaboration between the British Horseracing Authority and Sandown, the high-profile meeting will begin 30 minutes earlier than originally scheduled to ensure ITV viewers can see the final six races on the card and therefore the conclusion of the trainers' championship. Sandown's clerk of the course Andrew Cooper said: 'All of us at Sandown Park are excited about bringing the curtain down on what has been a fantastic season and showcasing its thrilling conclusion to fans on course and at home.'
Irish Daily Mirror
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
UK Trainers' Championship latest standings as Willie Mullins gains on Skelton
Dan Skelton's lead over Willie Mullins in the trainers' title race has been slashed to just £24,289 after a successful outing at Perth on Wednesday saw the reigning champion seal a Listed double. Skelton was previously ahead by £57,777 before the races began. However, it was Mullins who delivered the first noteworthy punch in Scotland. With Paul Townend as jockey, Mullins' Kiss Will clinched victory in the British EBF Gold Castle "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle, snagging a cool £22,780. Although Skelton's Royal Infantry came second to soften the impact slightly, Mullins wasn't done yet. He then bagged another combined sum of £25,889 when Fun Fun Fun and Paggane, also with Townend in the saddle, finished first and second in the Quilter Cheviot Fair Maid Of Perth Mares' Chase, tightening the contest for the trainers' championship even further. Townend told Racing TV: 'It (Perth) is a brilliant place to come, it's a great atmosphere and lovely weather and they've done an incredible job with the ground. I couldn't give them enough plaudits for that, it's beautiful out there. 'I don't know what happened to Kiss Will in Cheltenham, but he travelled well throughout the race today and I hope he can have a bright future. 'Fun Fun Fun made harder work of it than I was hoping, but there was plenty in the tank when I needed it and she's done an important job today.' On the title race, he added: 'I'll leave someone else to figure the maths!' While Mullins was the big winner on the day, Skelton did not finish the afternoon empty handed, with Etalon's triumph in the Phil Nelson Capercaillie Handicap Chase at Perth earning him £8,713 and the subsequent success of Jeffery's Cross in the hunter chase at Ludlow worth a further £3,388. Madajovy also placed for Skelton – whose last runner of the day, Jo's Rainbow, was at Taunton's evening meeting – in the bumper at Ludlow. Etalon's rider Harry Skelton said: 'He's been difficult to get right at home, but he's brought it all together hopefully when needed. I'd say we need every penny we can get!' Mullins' sole runner on Thursday is Magic McColgan at Perth, while in contrast Skelton sends out a formidable team of 18 across meetings at Perth, Warwick and Bangor. Mullins is not represented at all in Britain on Friday, with Skelton declaring two runners at Perth and two at Chepstow, potentially giving him the opportunity to further add to his total ahead of what promises to be an enthralling final day of the season at Sandown on Saturday. Following collaboration between the British Horseracing Authority and Sandown, the high-profile meeting will begin 30 minutes earlier than originally scheduled to ensure ITV viewers can see the final six races on the card and therefore the conclusion of the trainers' championship. Sandown's clerk of the course Andrew Cooper said: 'All of us at Sandown Park are excited about bringing the curtain down on what has been a fantastic season and showcasing its thrilling conclusion to fans on course and at home.'
RTÉ News
23-04-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Perth double sees Mullins narrow trainers' title gap on Skelton
Willie Mullins trails Dan Skelton by £24,289 in the trainers' title race after a Listed double saw the reigning champion significantly erode the deficit at Perth on Wednesday. Skelton led the way to the tune of £57,777 prior to the start of play, but Mullins was the first to strike a significant blow in Scotland, as Kiss Will and Paul Townend picked up £22,780 with victory in the British EBF Gold Castle 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle. Skelton did saddle the runner-up Royal Infantry to lessen the blow, but Mullins then pocketed another £25,889 in total after the Townend-ridden Fun Fun Fun and Paggane provided the master of Closutton with a one-two in the Quilter Cheviot Fair Maid Of Perth Mares' Chase. Townend said: "It (Perth) is a brilliant place to come, it's a great atmosphere and lovely weather and they've done an incredible job with the ground. I couldn't give them enough plaudits for that, it's beautiful out there. "I don't know what happened to Kiss Will in Cheltenham, but he travelled well throughout the race today and I hope he can have a bright future. "Fun Fun Fun made harder work of it than I was hoping, but there was plenty in the tank when I needed it and she's done an important job today." On the title race, he added: "I'll leave someone else to figure the maths!" While Mullins was the big winner on the day, Skelton did not finish the afternoon empty handed, with Etalon's triumph in the Phil Nelson Capercaillie Handicap Chase at Perth earning him £8,713 and the subsequent success of Jeffery's Cross in the hunter chase at Ludlow worth a further £3,388. Madajovy also placed for Skelton – whose last runner of the day, Jo's Rainbow, was at Taunton's evening meeting – in the bumper at Ludlow. Etalon's rider Harry Skelton said: "He's been difficult to get right at home, but he's brought it all together hopefully when needed. I'd say we need every penny we can get!" Mullins' sole runner on Thursday is Magic McColgan at Perth, while in contrast Skelton sends out a formidable team of 18 across meetings at Perth, Warwick and Bangor. Mullins is not represented at all in Britain on Friday, with Skelton declaring two runners at Perth and two at Chepstow, potentially giving him the opportunity to further add to his total ahead of what promises to be an enthralling final day of the season at Sandown on Saturday. Following collaboration between the British Horseracing Authority and Sandown, the high-profile meeting will begin 30 minutes earlier than originally scheduled to ensure ITV viewers can see the final six races on the card and therefore the conclusion of the trainers' championship. Sandown's clerk of the course Andrew Cooper said: "All of us at Sandown Park are excited about bringing the curtain down on what has been a fantastic season and showcasing its thrilling conclusion to fans on course and at home."
Daily Record
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Paul Townend says he'd love a Perth jolly after a day of Fun Fun Fun as Irish jockey hero soaks up Scone Palace success
High-flying Paul Townend reckons he'd fancy a jolly at Perth after a day of Fun Fun Fun in the Scottish town. Willie Mullins' No.1 stable jockey savoured a flawless afternoon at Scone Palace Park with two wins from two rides to boost his gaffer's UK trainers title bid in the scrap with Dan Skelton. Townend won Wednesday's two biggest prizes for the Closutton yard aboard 5/1 shot Kiss Will and 4/7 favourite Fun Fun Fun. The Irish horse racing ace was all smiles afterwards as he soaked up the first day of Perth's three-day meeting and said: 'It's a brilliant place to come. Pity we have to do a bit of work when we come here. I'd love to come here on a bit of a jolly sometime! 'I'd say it'd be good fun! A great atmosphere, lovely weather and they've done an incredible job with the ground. Credit to them. You couldn't give them enough plaudits for that. It's beautiful.' Kiss Will defeated a strong field to win the three-mile novice hurdle and, although Skelton got second in the race with Royal Infantry, Mullins also had the fourth with You Oughta Know to collect more prize money. Townend duly completed his double in the three-mile mares' chase on Fun Fun Fun and Mullins also had the second with Paggane to move just over £11,000 at that stage behind in the trainer bid. The pilot's selection of Kiss Will was telling and he explained: 'I won a maiden on him earlier in the year and I can't figure out what happened to him in Cheltenham . 'Maybe he needed another run going there or something. I don't know, but it was too bad to be true. "But he travelled really well throughout the race. The trip was an unknown, but he coped with it no problem. I hope he can have a bright future. 'That was the only blip on the biggest day, but it was good to get him back. Big field and depth in it as well, but he went through the race really nicely and I hope he can build on that.' On the Fun Fun Fun success, he added: 'I suppose she made harder work of it than I was kind of hoping. The race in Limerick the last day, she bounced out and attacked everywhere and was really forward. 'She relaxed. Maybe it's just runs that are steadying her up. But there was plenty in the locker when I needed it. She's done an important job.' Skelton hit straight back in the trainers battle after Mullins double when 11/4 chance Etalon won the two-mile handicap chase and over £8,000 to re-extend his title lead. But, speaking on Racing TV, Townend said he'd just concentrate on horses and not calculators as he laughed: 'I'll leave someone else to figure the maths out. I'll try and keep my job!'
