Blue Lord leads Tornado Flyer over the last© Photo Healy Racing
Blue Lord got his campaign off to the perfect start as he just held on from stable mate Tornado Flyer in the season feature at Powerstown Park, the Grade 2 Clonmel Oil Chase.
Twice successful at the highest level last season, the Willie Mullins-trained seven-year-old was also third to Edwardstone in the Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival.
Upped in trip to two-and-a-half miles today, for just the second time in his career, the Simon Munir & Isaac Souede owned gelding was sent off a well-supported 5/6 favourite (11/8 early).
With Tornado Flyer lobbing along in front, the bay victor raced in rear and jumped well throughout under Paul Townend.
He took closer order early in the straight and was pushed along to challenge in third on the approach to the second last.
Soon in front, he was ridden on the run-in and just done enough to hold off the renewed effort of Tornado Flyer (9/2) and Danny Mullins by a neck.
The front-pair were two-and-three-parts of a length in front of Darasso in third, while Pencilfulloflead was another four-and-three-parts of a length away in last.
"Paul said he is a much stronger horse this year and I'm very pleased with that," Mullins revealed.
"I thought both riders gave their horses great rides and listening to both, Tornado gave away his advantage by jumping big at the second-last and I think Paul would have preferred a lead for longer.
"The winner was keen but was as relaxed as he ever is and he will be able to relax, rather than to be a front-running two-miler. He is a big unit and you wouldn't want him standing on your toe! David Porter, one of the tallest guys in the yard, does an excellent job with him.
"He might get an entry for the Champion Chase but if I can find a programme for 2m4f, the Ryanair Chase would look a possibility. You don't know what will happen in each division but the feeling is we will look at the 2m 4f trip for him.
"Danny said Tornado Flyer took a good blow so will improve and we'll send him, and maybe both, to the Durkan Chase (Punchestown, early December). If he comes out of that well, the King George would look the plan.
"He likes Punchestown and Kempton and seems to do his best work early in the season for some reason."
Townend added: "I was delighted with him. I suppose anchoring him at the back, I was giving away the advantage of him jumping so well. I thought Danny might bring me along a bit further down the straight to be honest because he had a good look at the last.
"I'm delighted with him though and I think he has strengthened up a lot from last year as well.
"Even as a hurdler we thought two-and-a-half would suit him. He was second to Bob Olinger over two-and-a-half at Naas one day. He was always kind of hard on himself then but he is maturing and has no problem getting the trip.
"It was like a restart in a Formula 1 race, I was waiting for when they were going to go. They had me at the stretch off the hill but once we got levelled out and down the road I was using Danny as a gauge. I winged the second last and landed there a bit quicker than I thought I would.
"I hope so (start of a good campaign). He has promised a lot all along and he had a great season last year. I just think he feels physically stronger and a bit more mature as well so hopefully he can keep improving.
Willie Mullins and Paul Townend were completing a quick double having claimed the previous Listed contest with Dolcita
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
