Fan De Blues © Photo Healy Racing
After a confidence-boosting win at Ballinrobe in August, the 11/10 favourite Fan De Blues had too much class for his rivals in the Co-Op Superstores Handicap Steeplechase.
The seven-year-old took over in front before four out as the pace-setting Kitty Galore began to struggle and he overcame a mistake at the second-last to score by ten lengths from Turbo
It was first win, at the eleventh attempt, in handicap company for the Poliglote gelding who was partnered for the first time by Danny Mullins.
Winning trainer Willie Mullins said: "I was very disappointed with his jumping and at halfway I thought he was gone but when Danny grabbed ahold of him and gave him a squeeze, giving him a lot of assistance, he was way better. Maybe the other horses were summer types who didn't go on that ground.
"At the moment I'll keep him going and will keep him to that trip, which seems to suit him better. I'll keep him to small runner races as I'm not sure he likes big fields."
He added "Danny is a fantastic guy to have around the place and is all the time willing to school and willing to do anything. He is having a great season and is riding so well at the moment."
Quotes from Tom Weekes
