Tikkanen Express leads them in Punchestown© Photo Healy Racing
Tikkanen Express (11/1) made every yard in the extended two mile six handicap chase at Punchestown to win for handler James Dullea.
Danny Mullins sent him on from flagfall and the pair had two and three quarter lengths in hand of 5/2 favourite Dont Kick Nor Bite at the finish.
The winner wasn't fluent at the second-last where the closing Dont Kick Nor Bite made a mistake. It was then that Tikkanen Express went for home. Jack Slade was some seven lengths further back of the runner-up in third at 7/1.
Trainer James Dullea said: “That’s brilliant and it isn’t easy to get winners around here. He’s a horse we’ve always liked. He’s not straightforward and is not easy to train, he’s not easy to ride.
"Danny gave him a great ride, they left him along in front and I think that was probably a big part of it. He was able to use his jumping and get relaxed.
“We’ve been wanting to step up in trip for a long time but he just wasn’t settling well enough. Philip Enright, who normally rides him, is hurt but he’s done a great job settling him and I think that told today.
"He’d probably get a bit farther the way he won there today.”
The Stewards interviewed Danny Mullins, rider of Tikkanen Express, concerning his use of the whip between the final two fences. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion that Mullins was in breach of R10 (4) by failing to give his mount time to respond to the whip. Having considered his previous record, the Stewards suspended Mullins for four race days.
Mark Enright performed a miracle recovery on board fourth-running Carole Rose who blundered at the last. The pair came home eighth after the jockey lost his irons and almost went over his mount's head.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
