Sceaux so good in Champion

Un De Sceaux like so many times before, galloped his rivals into the ground to land the Boylesports Champion Chase at Punchestown this afternoon.

Willie Mullins' popular front-runner landed his ninth Grade 1 success when proving too strong for star stable-mate Douvan in the two-miler.

Patrick Mullins, riding the ten-year-old for the first time, took the field along and skipped a few lengths clear going to the fourth last.

Douvan tried to give chase going to the second last but an untidy leap there put him under presuure.

Un De Sceaux kept up his relentless gallop in the closing stages to record a three-and-three-quarter length success.

Un De Sceaux wins the @BoyleSports Champion Chase! @punchestownrace pic.twitter.com/YwAq0nhsR1

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) April 24, 2018

“It was a terrific race. I felt looking at the horse that he wasn't going at all for the first half,” said Mullins senior.

“Coming past the stands I thought he was on the wrong leg and he wasn't galloping the way he normally does.

“Patrick felt the same riding him and he said he just pinged the first one down the back and he just started to gallop and Patrick said 'well I'm going to let him gallop'.

“It was a long way out but he said 'I'm going to let him go because at least he's moving now'.

“I think Paul probably thought at that stage that he might have enough in the tank but when he moved on his fellow he was disappointed but Un De Sceaux is no back number.

“Paul just felt when he had to go to the other fellow he didn't lengthen his stride and didn't seem to be in that form. Something might come up because of that.

“It was a helluva performance to come out after Cheltenham and then Fairyhouse and then here today. Anyone doubting him at Fairyhouse got their answer today anyway.

“We're having a great day and it's a very good start to the week. We couldn't improve much on that.”

Patrick said:- “I schooled him yesterday and even schooling him is some buzz.

“He wasn't travelling as well as he could early on but when he warmed up I let him at it.

“Realistically I didn't think he could beat Douvan or even Min but he's a great horse and never lets us down.”

It was a quick treble on the card for Mullins who made significant inroads into the championship lead of Gordon Elliott.

The official attendance for today was 19,182 which was 504 down on last year's figure of 19,686.