Mullins' Felix Yonger wins Champion Chase

Willie Mullins completed a big race double at Punchestown today, completing the feat with Felix Yonger under the Champion Trainer's nephew Danny Mullins, in the Grade 1 BoyleSports Champion Chase.

Mullins' stable jockey Ruby Walsh had opted to ride his Champagne Fever in the race and while he faded tamely in the home straight, Felix Yonger (5/1) stayed on strongly to head 40/1 shot Baily Green in the closings stages for a half length win.

Mullins, whose Douvan won the earlier Grade 1 race, later stated "that's great for Danny - he went off the America the last two weekends and rode four winners and is riding out of his skin.

"He's riding full of confidence and sat on him and waited his turn, letting his lungs fill with air and come with one run - it paid off.

"He has the confidence to ride him like that and when the horse hits a flat spot ,leaves him alone until he comes right. They are a good partnership."

He added "they're calling it good to yielding but there's a lot more good in it. That suits him so I thought he might come into it and it didn't surprise me.

"He's a good horse and we'll probably put him away now."

Regarding his two beaten runners in the race, he said "we thought it was a very open race going out but Ruby said Champagne Fever slipped going into the first and was never right after. Paul (Townend) said Twinlight hit a wing in mid-air and his race was gone then."

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson