Bapaume lands Champion 4YO for Mullins

On a day when Willie Mullins secured his tenth successive trainer’s championship, the victory of Bapaume in the Grade 1 AES Champion Four Year Old Hurdle proved the tipping point after a titanic tussle for the title with Gordon Elliott.

The French-bred gelding has been a model of consistency all season, and gained a deserved top level success here under Ruby Walsh.

The well-backed 2/1 favourite struck the front approaching the final flight, and kept on well under pressure on the run-in to score by a length and a quarter. Landofhopeandglory took the runner-up spot, with Meri Devie another length back in third.

Walsh and Mullins wrap up the final Grade 1 of the Punchestown Festival - Bapaume wins the AES Champion Four Year Old Hurdle: pic.twitter.com/ShIQtKtalm

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) April 29, 2017

Mullins said, “I think we got the tactics right in that race. Mega Fortune was the one to try and beat and it worked out.

“Bapaume has kept his form all season and is a fantastic horse. I’d imagine that he will stay hurdling next season but whether he can step up again next season we’ll see. It’s tough for four-year-olds the following year.”

Walsh said, “He's a tough little horse. He probably got outstayed by Mega Fortune at Leopardstown in January.

“He jumped the last really well and stuck his head out. We needed him!

“He's only a handy little horse but he's delivered on a very very important day. I'm delighted I was some use to Willie Mullins this week.”