WILLIE MULLINS is close to becoming a 12-time Irish champion trainer after a rejuvenated Faugheen (11-2) helped Mullins pull clear of title rival Gordon Elliott at Punchestown.
The Closutton trainer started the weak with a hefty deficit of 521,413 euros to Elliott, who has led the Irish trainers’ championship for the bulk of the season.
However, Mullins achieved an incredible six-timer on Wednesday’s card to start Thursday in the lead by 48,161 euros and has extended his advantage significantly today to 424,148 euros.
Faugheen “The Machine” bounced back to his brilliant best to win the most valuable contest of the day, the Champion Stayers Hurdle.
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Stablemates Penhill and Shaneshill followed him home to hand Mullins a big lead, one that Footpad (2-5 F) promptly extended with yet another Grade 1 success just over an hour later in straightforward fashion.
Elliott started the day with some form of hope as Park Paddocks (6-1 F) won the opening race on the card to reduce his deficit slightly, but the positive vibes were soon obliterated as Mullins’ Cadmium (12-1) won the second race on the card.
Eamonn Hames' top tips for Punchestown
4.20 Punchestown – Montalbano: ‘Ticks a lot of boxes in that he’s unexposed and on a fair mark’ (add to your betslip)
4.55 Punchestown – Teacher’s Pet: ‘She will come into her own on this galloping track if the pace is strong’ (add to your betslip)
5.30 Punchestown – Samcro: ‘Exceptional six-year-old will prove better than his more experienced rivals here’ (add to your betslip)
6.05 Punchestown – Pallasator: ‘Classy sort looks to have found his feet over hurdles and can surpass his Flat exploits by winning a Grade 1 here’ (add to your betslip)
6.40 Punchestown – Uxizandre: ‘Classy former Ryanair winner has to be the one to beat at this new discipline’ (add to your betslip)
7.10 Punchestown – Riders Onthe Storm: ‘He’s well regarded by Tom Taaffe and this drop in class should see him return to winning ways’ (add to your betslip)
It wasn’t all perfect for Mullins, as his mare Ainsi Va La Vie was chinned on the line by Dawn Shadow in the fifth race of the day.
He is unlikely to be too concerned by that though, as another trainers’ championship appears to be within his grasp.
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