A big-race win felt like no more than a bonus for Willie Mullins after Faugheen had climbed to his feet having lain still for several seconds after a stomach-turning fall
A Grade One win for Kemboy in the feature event of Ireland’s festive programme felt like no more than a bonus for Willie Mullins here on Friday, thanks to the moment earlier in the afternoon when Faugheen, perhaps the best horse he has trained, climbed to his feet having lain still on the turf for several seconds after a stomach-turning fall.
Faugheen was a couple of lengths behind Apple’s Jade in the closing stages of the three-mile Christmas Hurdle when he took off too early at the second-last and then slid along the landing side of the obstacle with his head twisted below his body.
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Presenting Percy, the favourite for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, had been billed as the main attraction in Friday’s Grade One Savills Chase at Leopardstown, but Pat Kelly’s stable star failed to make it past the final declaration stage on Thursday due to concerns that the good ground is a little quicker than he would like.
Lingfield Park
11.35 Dutch Uncle 12.05 Keep It Country Tv 12.40 Enchanting Man
1.15 Paddy A 1.45 Let Rip 2.20 Tan (nb) 2.55 Little Miss Kodi
3.30 Odds On Oli
Catterick
12.25 Graceland 1.00 Djarkevi 1.35 Arthur Mac 2.05 Reverse The Charge (nap) 2.40 Notonebuttwo 3.15 Waltz Darling
Leicester
12.50 Early Learner 1.25 Bright Forecast 1.55 Copper West 2.30 Amour de Nuit 3.05 Haafapiece 3.40 Cybalko