Easy for Uncle Phil as he bounces back to form Uncle Phil bounced back to form as he made all under Paul Townend in the Strings & Things Rated Novice Chase. An impressive 13-length winner on his second start over fences at Kilbeggan in June, the Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old since disappointed when finishing last of six behind Joyeux Machin at Wexford. Sent off an easy-to-back 5/1 chance (from 7/2), the Joe & Marie Donnelly-owned bay jumped slightly right throughout and had all his rivals off the bridle on the approach to the second last, going on to score easily by 12-lengths. Returned the 9/4 favourite (from 10/3), Gracchus De Balme made a bad mistake four out and was far from fluent at the next. The Joseph O'Brien-trained seven-year-old eventually filled the runner-up spot under JJ Slevin. "On his day he is good. He was very disappointing at Wexford and I'd say on the flatter track, using his jumping around here, was a huge advantage," Townend commented. STEWARDS REPORTS * J.W. Kennedy, rider of Riaan, trained by Gordon Elliott, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount never travelled. * The Raceday Stewards requested a report from W.P. Mullins, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of Uncle Phil, placed first, as compared with its recent form. Peter Delmer, Authorised Representative for W.P. Mullins, Trainer, stated that todays better ground (Good, Good to Yielding in places) compared to Yielding ground at Wexford contributed to the apparent improvement in form today. Having considered the report the Raceday Stewards noted the content of the report. Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
