Fabiolo fabulous as Mullins makes it magnificent seven Grade Ones

Willie Mullins' domination at the Dublin Racing Festival continued as El Fabiolo turned on the style late on to run out a brilliant winner of the Ladbrokes Dublin Chase.

Last year's Arkle winner was a touch sticky at some of his early fences but really flew when Paul Townend asked the 4/11 shot for an effort.

A good leap at the second last propelled him into the lead from front-runner Gentleman de Mee and he had his rivals working turning for home.

Townend gave his mount a squeeze as they went around the bypassed last fence and he soon opened up, going on to post a eight-and-a-half length win over stablemate Dinoblue

It was a seventh win of the weekend for Mullins, all coming in the Grade Ones.

🟢 El Fabiolo - more DRF glory at @LeopardstownRC

🏇 11 runs
🥇 Eight wins
🏆 G1 Ladbrokes Dublin Chase
🏆 G1 Arkle
🏆 G1 Irish Arkle
🏆 G1 Barberstown Arkle Novice Chase
🏆 G2 Hilly Way
✅ Unbeaten over fences pic.twitter.com/N3nsblbBBk

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 4, 2024

Mullins said:- “He did his job well because Dinoblue had worked very well during the week, and I thought if he made any mistake then she would definitely give him a race.

“Mark was very happy with her, so it was a good test and not a freebie by any means. She was getting 7lb from him and she is a good mare.

“He was very clean today and very good. Paul just sat very quiet on him, and he appreciated that and did his job.

“I’m delighted all the owners are here and they love coming to Ireland to race. They have raced in France and England extensively, but they say the experience here is way better.

“The appreciation Irish people have for racing is huge which you don’t get in other countries.”

Townend told RTE:- “He wasn't foot perfect I suppose but that's picking holes in him. When I wanted him he was good and long at a couple.

“I ended up getting on the wrong side of Danny, foolishly, down the back. I had ridden him the last day and he went a fraction right with me so I just had to switch inside him going to the last ditch. He winged that and was in control of the race from there.

“He's just a very good horse. I was slow at one early in the back (straight) and Danny got a couple of lengths but I had it made up with one good jump again.

“He's not an overly raced horse still and that was probably his stiffest test out of novice company.”

It was a double on the day for owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede after the victory of the Stuart Crawford-trained Brucio in the opening mares handicap hurdle.

Betfair made El Fabiolo a 1/2 shot (from 4/7) for the Champion Chase.

(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)