One of the highlights of the winter racing season took place at Navan last Sunday – the Ladbrokes-sponsored Troytown Chase – where Balbriggan landed quite a gamble for Gordon Elliott and promising young rider Kevin Sexton. The strongly supported favourite took advantage of his light weight to make every yard of the running in this three-mile contest and should remain a force in quality staying handicaps for the rest of the season.
A double for Elliott at Navan moved him on to the 50-winner mark for the campaign and the trainer should also have lots to look forward to with Free Expression, who remained unbeaten in the Grade 2 Monksfield Novice Hurdle. The favourite was workmanlike in defeating 40/1 shot Shantou Flyer but he is better than the bare result suggests and is among a host of talented young jumpers at his trainer’s disposal.
Mullins’ weekend to savour
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It was another terrific weekend for Willie Mullins who unleashed two of his star novice hurdlers from last season in Faugheen and Vautour. Faugheen was sent to Ascot where he produced a commanding display to make short work of his rivals in a valuable Grade 2 and this represented a highly satisfactory first step towards a possible Champion Hurdle assault.
The following afternoon at Navan, Vautour could hardly have been more impressive as he switched his attentions to chasing. The brilliant Supreme Novices Hurdle hero looked right at home over the larger obstacles and he remains a horse of stellar potential.
In addition, Mullins sent out five winners at Gowran on Saturday, which included very smart displays from Douvan and Tell Us More. The last-named duo look novice hurdlers of the very highest calibre.
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One of the highlights of the winter racing season took place at Navan last Sunday – the Ladbrokes-sponsored Troytown Chase – where Balbriggan landed quite a gamble for Gordon Elliott and promising young rider Kevin Sexton. The strongly supported favourite took advantage of his light weight to make every yard of the running in this three-mile contest and should remain a force in quality staying handicaps for the rest of the season.
A double for Elliott at Navan moved him on to the 50-winner mark for the campaign and the trainer should also have lots to look forward to with Free Expression, who remained unbeaten in the Grade 2 Monksfield Novice Hurdle. The favourite was workmanlike in defeating 40/1 shot Shantou Flyer but he is better than the bare result suggests and is among a host of talented young jumpers at his trainer’s disposal.
Mullins’ weekend to savour
It was another terrific weekend for Willie Mullins who unleashed two of his star novice hurdlers from last season in Faugheen and Vautour. Faugheen was sent to Ascot where he produced a commanding display to make short work of his rivals in a valuable Grade 2 and this represented a highly satisfactory first step towards a possible Champion Hurdle assault.
The following afternoon at Navan, Vautour could hardly have been more impressive as he switched his attentions to chasing. The brilliant Supreme Novices Hurdle hero looked right at home over the larger obstacles and he remains a horse of stellar potential.
In addition, Mullins sent out five winners at Gowran on Saturday, which included very smart displays from Douvan and Tell Us More. The last-named duo look novice hurdlers of the very highest calibre.
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