Cilaos Emery© Photo Healy Racing
Cilaos Emery will be supplemented for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham next month having easily won his Grade 3 Red Mills Trial Hurdle 'qualifier' at Gowran today.
The Willie Mullins trained eight year old bagged Grade 3 and Grade 2 chase wins earlier this season before falling at the first fence in the Grade 1 Dublin Chase at Leopardstown on February 1.
Today's decision by connections to revert to hurdles, for the first time since December 2017, was however a tactical one rather than a confidence-restoring mission, as his owner Luke McMahon eyes a tilt at a weak looking Champion Hurdle next month.
Today's Grade 3 contest featured last year's winner Darasso but Cilaos Emery was 'the one for money', to put it mildly, as he was backed on-track from 8/15 to 1/4 favourite at the off.
In the race Cilaos Emery, under Paul Townend, made a mistake at the third last, moved to the front at the next before pulling clear of Darasso, whom he eventually beat nine and a half lengths.
Champion Trainer Mullins later quipped “the first half of Luke's plan has gone to plan anyway!”
He added “I thought he was very impressive what he did, especially after his mistake at the third last. What he did in between the third last and the last was what impressed me.
“It's very hard for any horse to be impressive, visually, on that ground and in that weather.
“I'd imagine that might mean he goes to the Champion Hurdle now.
“It was debated what chance would he have in the Champion Chase and what chance might he have in the Champion Hurdle.
“It was decided then that we'd run today, see what happens and that would make up our mind.
“We keep coming back to saying that he has as much of a chance in the Champion Hurdle as he has in the Champion Chase. That's the reasoning behind where we are going.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
