Sir Gerhard gets over the last in a fashion © Photo Healy Racing
Willie Mullins landed his seventh winner, and sixth Grade One, of the weekend in the Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle when the 8/13 favourite Sir Gerhard made all the running.
Cheveley Park Stud’s gelding by Jeremy was far from fluent at the obstacles and was pressed by Three Stripe Life off the home turn but stayed on strongly in the straight to see off the challenge of that rival by six lengths. It was the same distance back to Colonel Mustard in third with the rest of the runners beaten out of sight.
Paddy Power make last year’s Cheltenham Bumper winner 9/2 from 5/1 for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
Mullins said:- “I was disappointed how he jumped down the back, he galloped through two or three hurdles.
“I was giving out before the race that the second last was taken out but halfway down the back I said maybe it's a good thing.
“He jumped the second last well and jumped the last well and galloped the whole way to the line which was fantastic.
“He hung off the bend past the stands and then was all over the place going to the hurdle past the stand. Was he just idling in front, I don't know, or was something annoying him. We'll find out when Paul comes back in.
“He got very keen on Paul around the top bend and when he got keen he didn't jump well. He was so efficient here at Christmas, he jumped like a handicapper so I was disappointed with his jumping.
“I'm not really worried about his jumping, I think he just had a blip there today.
“I think he could go either way, I'd have no trouble going to the Supreme Novices' with him or to the Ballymore. We'll see what is in either race and then make our minds up.
“He settles well enough in a two mile race and he has stamina for two-and-a-half.”
Regarding the winner's jumping, Paul Townend told RTE Sport: “He was taking in all the scenery for himself, anyway, that’s for sure. He’ll learn from that again. He had to make his own running and, as I say, he was taking it all in (looking around) but he dug deep for me.
“I think he will jump better at Cheltenham. He jumped better than that when he had company here at Christmas and there’s no hiding place at Cheltenham so he’ll have company there, for sure
“It’s been a mighty weekend. We can breathe a bit now! There were a lot of big guns running over the two days and thankfully we got it right on some of them anyway.
“I didn’t think when the crowds weren’t here that I missed them that much, I could drive in and out and you knew what time you were going to get here, but when you have a winner it’s nice to get clapped back in.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
