As the 2025 Cheltenham Festival approaches, Willie Mullins is once again placing his faith in Energumene to deliver success in the Queen Mother Champion Chase. The reigning Champion Chase winner has proven himself to be a Cheltenham specialist, and Mullins is optimistic that he can defend his title and further solidify his legacy.

Energumene’s 2023 and 2024 performances at Cheltenham were masterclasses in precision, speed, and resilience. His ability to thrive under pressure, combined with his consistency on the festival’s challenging track, has made him one of the standout chasers in recent memory. For Mullins, the horse’s affinity for Cheltenham is a key advantage. “He’s a different horse when he’s here,” Mullins explained during a recent media day. “Jonbon might be better at Ascot, but Cheltenham brings out the best in Energumene.”

A key factor in Energumene’s success is his ability to handle soft ground — a common condition at Cheltenham in March. Mullins is hoping for a similar scenario this year. “Softer ground suits him perfectly,” he said. “It slows down some of his rivals, but Energumene’s stamina and jumping ability allow him to power through.”

While rivals like Jonbon and Edwardstone will present significant challenges, Mullins believes that Energumene’s tactical versatility and Paul Townend’s experience in the saddle could make the difference. “Townend knows how to ride this horse to perfection. Whether they want to take him on early or let him dictate the pace, he has the adaptability to handle any situation.”

Mullins has also fine-tuned Energumene’s preparation to ensure he peaks at the right time. “We’ve kept him fresh, but he’s had enough work to be ready for the test ahead,” Mullins added.

With a stable history of producing winners in this race, including back-to-back victories for Energumene, Mullins knows exactly what it takes to succeed. If all goes to plan, Energumene could join the elite ranks of two-time winners like Moscow Flyer and Master Minded, further cementing his place in Cheltenham history.

The post Energumene Quest for Champion Chase Glory: Willie Mullins Targets Cheltenham Success appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

THE MAIN MAN

𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐧 records a third success in the Irish Champion Hurdle @LeopardstownRC

An 11th Grade One triumph for @WillieMullinsNH's superstar

Lossiemouth suffered a heavy fall earlier in the race …#DublinRacingFestival pic.twitter.com/z3rfO75GHx

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 2, 2025

State Man (5/4) entered hallowed territory at Leopardstown on Day 2 of the Dublin Racing Festival, joining legends like Istabraq, Hurricane Fly, and Honeysuckle with a commanding third straight win in the Grade 1 Irish Champion Hurdle. Willie Mullins’ gelding was imperious as he cruised home six and a half lengths clear of stablemate Daddy Long Legs, marking his 11th Grade 1 triumph in front of an enthralled Leopardstown crowd.

Lossiemouth’s fall at Leopardstown. Shame as we had a race on our hands with State Man there. pic.twitter.com/RVt6t8wu4S

— 𝕏 (@WalrusJoob) February 2, 2025

It was another day to savour for Mullins, who saddled the first three home in the feature contest, matching his exploits from the previous day’s Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup. Winter Fog rounded out the Mullins trifecta, finishing a further nine lengths adrift in third. With Jody Townend steering Bambino Fever to victory in the concluding Grade 2 Coolmore NH Sires Mares’ Flat Race, Mullins ended the weekend with seven winners—a haul that showcased the depth of talent at Closutton.

The race had all the makings of a classic. Danny Mullins, in pursuit of a third win on the day, set a strong early tempo aboard 8/11 favourite Lossiemouth, who came into this on the back of a runner-up finish to Constitution Hill at Kempton over Christmas. Despite punters backing the Ricci-owned mare, Paul Townend had remained loyal to State Man, a decision that ultimately paid dividends.

But the complexion of the race shifted dramatically at the fourth-last hurdle when Lossiemouth failed to lift her front legs and took a heavy fall. State Man, tracking closely behind, narrowly avoided disaster.

“I was very, very lucky not to be brought down,” Townend admitted. “I was right on top of her, and we were going a fair gallop. Who knows what would have happened, but you can only jump them, and he did that. Not every horse has 11 Grade 1s.”

With the threat of Lossiemouth gone, Townend coasted home comfortably, but there was an undeniable sense of ‘what if’ surrounding the outcome. Mullins acknowledged as much.

“It’s disappointing for Rich (Ricci), disappointing for the public, and disappointing for us all not to see what the final outcome would have been,” said Mullins. “Both horses were going well, and I was happy. But these things happen.

“I’m delighted State Man is back to himself. But as I’ve always said about him, we don’t know how good he is because he only ever does enough. Paul never wavered in his choice of ride, though. There was never any question.”

On Lossiemouth’s future, Mullins remained optimistic. “Our plan has always been to go for the Champion Hurdle. Unless there’s a change of heart, I’m happy for her to go there.”

Earlier, Ballyburn (8/13f) bounced back to form in the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Novice Chase, fending off the challenge of Croke Park by five lengths. Paul Townend, registering a treble on the day and five wins across the weekend, described the victory as “the kind of performance you want to see from a novice.”

The senior Mullins-Townend pairing was back in the winner’s enclosure shortly after as Kopek Des Bordes showcased superstar potential by storming to a 13-length victory in the Grade 1 Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle. His stablemate, Karniquet, was left chasing shadows in second.

Danny Mullins also enjoyed a fruitful afternoon, starting with an emotional win aboard Vischio (8/1) in the Irish Stallion Farms Mares’ Handicap for his cousin Emmet Mullins. He followed that up with an outstanding pillar-to-post ride on Solness (6/1) in the Ladbrokes Dublin Chase. Beating off a late challenge from Marine Nationale, the Joseph O’Brien-trained chaser cemented his status with a second Grade 1 victory in as many months.

“He’s been a great horse, and the credit has to go to Joseph,” said Mullins. “The owners believe in him, and Bronsan Racing are having a great time. But what we learned at the Tingle Creek was executed perfectly today. I couldn’t hear a fence flick behind me, and my lad just kept finding. That’s the buzz you live for as a jockey.”

Mark Walsh completed a memorable weekend with three winners, including a late swoop aboard McLaurey (3/1f) in the Timeless Sash Windows Handicap Hurdle, securing a double for Emmet Mullins and JP McManus. Meanwhile, Gavin Cromwell’s tally also reached three after Backtonormal (11/4f) took the Grade 3 Leopardstown Handicap Chase under Conor Stone-Walsh.

For Mullins and Townend, the weekend was an emphatic reminder of their dominance. For racing fans, it was two days of high drama and unforgettable moments at Leopardstown, with the promise of much more to come on the road to Cheltenham.

"We're happy to go for the Champion Hurdle."@WillieMullinsNH reveals to @nickluck that Lossiemouth remains on track for the Champion Hurdle @CheltenhamRaces

News, too, on Mullins' other big guns on a dramatic day for Team Closutton …#DublinRacingFestival pic.twitter.com/dI9f5I5mkl

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 2, 2025

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Galopin Des Champs – three Irish Gold Cups at his beloved @LeopardstownRC

22 runs
14 wins
Irish Gold Cup
Savills Chase
Cheltenham Gold Cup
John Durkan Memorial
11 G1 victories
Superstar pic.twitter.com/5b0eVnKdsL

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 1, 2025

A hero’s welcome greeted Galopin Des Champs as the crowd at Leopardstown belted out “Olé! Olé! Olé! Olé!” in celebration of the nine-year-old’s scintillating third consecutive victory in the Grade 1 Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup on the opening day of the Dublin Racing Festival. The son of Timos, trained by Willie Mullins, cemented his place in history with a performance befitting his status as a dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner.

For Mullins, it marked a remarkable 14th success in this prestigious contest, but few could argue that Galopin Des Champs belongs to a tier above former legends like Jodami, Florida Pearl, and Beef Or Salmon. With his customary dominance, the nine-year-old dictated the race at his own pace, making it look almost effortless while never so much as brushing a twig.

Turning for home, stablemates Embassy Gardens, Grangeclare West, and Fact Or File briefly threatened, as did Monty’s Star, but Paul Townend’s mount was in complete control. Booted into the final fence, Galopin Des Champs accelerated smoothly down the stretch, bounding away to win by four and three-quarter lengths from the unconsidered Grangeclare West, with Fact Or File in third.

The capacity crowd, ten-deep around the parade ring, knew they had witnessed something special, responding with a fervour rarely seen in racing. Townend, revelling in the moment, soaked in the atmosphere.

“It’s a very special reception,” the champion jockey said. “We don’t experience it often in racing. It’s the closest we get to scoring a goal somewhere significant and running to the crowd.

“The public getting behind him adds pressure, but it’s the kind you enjoy. When we jumped the last ditch, I could hear the roar from the stands. He’s a champion. You could go out on him in a head collar—he’s that good. I’m lucky to have him, and so are the owners, who never take it for granted. Seeing the public behind him is brilliant.”

The day wasn’t done for Mullins. Majborough (8/11f) showcased his potential in the Grade 1 Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Chase, overcoming early jumping errors to cruise to a nine-length victory over Touch Me Not. Mark Walsh, aboard JP McManus’s exciting five-year-old, controlled the pace from the front and barely had to ask for a major effort as Majborough eased clear over the closing stages.

“He’s a monster, isn’t he?” Walsh said. “The size of him. He does everything so easily. I knew we were going a good gallop, but he felt like he was hacking. His cruising speed is phenomenal. He made a few mistakes because we were going on a stride, but it’s only his second run over fences. He’ll learn. He wasn’t tired at the finish and galloped all the way to the line.”

Majborough’s success was part of a double on the day for Walsh and McManus, following Percival Legallois’s win in the Race And Stay At Leopardstown Handicap Hurdle.

Mullins, finishing the day with three Grade 1 wins, reflected on the depth of talent at his disposal. “From the stands, I could hear the crowd reacting to Majborough’s jumps—oohing and aahing with every close call. But watching from the side, he never looked in danger. He’s a standout of his generation, and we have plenty of exciting horses coming through, like Final Demand, who won the opening Grade 1 Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Novice Hurdle.

“They’re nice horses to have,” Mullins added with a smile. For the champion trainer, days like these are becoming routine, but for the fans at Leopardstown, this was something to savour.

"This is the best chaser I’ve trained and Hurricane Fly the best hurdler."

Willie Mullins on another demolition job in the Irish Gold Cup from Galopin Des Champs

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 1, 2025

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The decision comes following a meeting of the Football Association of Ireland Board and following a review.

Gleeson was initially appointed on an interim basis in August 2023, and led the team to promotion to League A in the UEFA Nations League before being confirmed as Head Coach on a full-time basis in December 2023.

Win over France a highlight

For the 2025 UEFA European Championships qualification campaign, a brilliant 3-1 win over France in Páirc Uí Chaoimh saw the side record their best ever result. The Women’s National Team went on to reach Round 2 of the Qualifying Play-Offs, where they narrowly lost to Cymru over two legs.

‘A terrific ambassador for women and girls’ football’

FAI CEO David Courell said: “On behalf of the Football Association of Ireland, we acknowledge the dedication and passion that Eileen has showed in leading the Ireland Women’s National Team over the last 16 months. Eileen has long been a terrific ambassador for women and girls’ football in Ireland and she leaves behind a positive impact on our Women’s National Team that included an excellent UEFA Nations League campaign, a memorable win over France in Cork and a run to the Play-Offs for EURO 2025. We thank Eileen for everything that she has done.”

The FAI has stated that the process to recruit a new Head Coach will begin immediately.

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The Willie Mullins-trained inmate will contest the day’s featured €100,000 Bar One Racing Hilly Way Chase.

This will be Energumene’s first race for 593-days, not having been seen since his win in the Grade 1 William Hill Champion Chase at the Punchestown Festival in 2023.

The French-bred son of Denham Road bids to claim a third victory in the Grade 2 Bar One Racing Hilly Way Chase, following previous triumphs in the race in 2021 and 2022.

This year’s renewal of the race will boast the largest field since 2018, with eight runners set to participate, with six of them coming from Mullins’ powerful Closutton stable.

Mullins hoping to extend record

Energumene will be reunited with Cork jockey Paul Townend as he aims to extend Mullins’ incredible record in the race, having trained the winner of the Hilly Way Chase every year since 2007, with the exception of 2012 and 2018.

Among the other Mullins representatives will be Hunters Yarn and four other Grade 1 winners Dinoblue, Ferny Hollow, Appreciate It, and Blue Lord.

Patrick Mullins, Ireland’s champion amateur jockey, will ride Ferny Hollow; Mark Walsh will be aboard Dinoblue; Danny Mullins will partner Appreciate It, and Brian Hayes will take the mount on Hunters Yarn.

Despite his historic dominance in the race, and the strength of his participants for this season’s contest, Team Mullins will face a strong challenge from both the Joseph O’Brien and John Queally yards.

O’Brien’s Carriganóg team will be represented by Grade 1 William Hill Champion Chase winner at last season’s Punchestown Festival, Banbridge.

Queally will have the recent Cork winner The Banger Doyle in the field.

Con O’Keeffe aims for another Mares’ Novice Chase win

The Grade 2 Coolmore NH Sires Order Of St George Irish EBF Mares Novice Chase at Cork Racecourse on Sunday has attracted a field of eight runners.

Last season’s successful handler with Silent Approach at 33/1, Con O’Keeffe, will be represented this time around by Kilbarry Saint.

Zenta, third in the race last year, will again contest the Grade 2 event, and will be joined by sable companion Karia Des Blaises.

The 2023 winning rider Danny Mullins will partner A Law Of Her Own from the Peter Fahey yard, while Henry de Bromhead will be represented by Nara.

This race has been won by mares of the calibre of Shattered Love (2017) and Vroom Vroom Mag (2014) in the past.

Six runners contest Grade 3 Stayers Novice Hurdle

The Grade 3 Singletons Supervalu Stayers Novice Hurdle, which has been won by eight different trainers in the past eight years, will have six runners on Sunday.

Ther Gordon Elliott-trained Minella Sixo may be the headline act, but Willie Mullins will be double-handed with Luckinthecity and Just For Love.

Cork-based trainers make up the remainder of the field: Jonathan Sweeney’s Churchroad Prince; recent 40/1 winner Therellbguddaysyet from Michael O’Connor’s stable, and Kilworth’s Desmond Kenneally has Pray Tell in the line-up.

The opening race of the seven-race card gets underway at Cork Racecourse, Mallow, at  12.03pm with the Bar One Racing 3YO Maiden Hurdle.

Racing will conclude at 3.25pm with the 24-runner Greenvalley Transport Novice Handicap Hurdle.

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In a game where the home side claimed a five-try bonus point victory, the most talked about incidents in this game will be four minutes of Stade Francais madness in the second half.

The visitors’ ill discipline saw two of their players, Pierre-Henri Azagoh and Baptiste Pesenti, red carded four foul play. Azagoh’s high and dangerous tackle on Peter O’Mahony meant the second row had to take an early shower.

Incredibly, his second row companion Pesenti followed him to the dressing room four minutes later. The big lock picked Munster’s Craig Casey up before dropping him dangerously on the ground.

First Half

Munster and Stade Francais entered this evening’s game with similar recent records in their domestic championships, with just two wins each in their last five games.

Munster won their second URC game of the season with a 17-10 victory over Lions last weekend, while Stade Francais lost 13-21 to Bayonne in their Top14 game last weekend.

In an opening half where Munster dominated on the scoreboard, the men in red ended the first half with a 14-0 lead over the Parisian side.

Abrahams opens scoring

Thaakir Abrahams put the home side on the scoreboard when crossing for a try on 15 minutes. A successful Jack Crowley kick for the posts, the first of two during the game’s opening 40 minutes, gave Inter Head Coach Ian Costello’s team a 7-0 advantage.

Alex Nankivell was sin-binned on 26 minutes for leading with his elbow. Ironically, it was during this 10 minute period, with Munster down to 14 men, that the side doubled their scoring.

Daly scores on 100th appearance

A beautiful piece of individual brilliance from Shane Daly on his 100th appearance for the province saw him kick the ball forward and chase it down to claim the 25th seven-pointer of his Munster career. The second successful kick of the night from Jack Crowley moved the home side into a 14-0 at half-time.

Half-time: Munster Rugby 14  Stade Francais Paris 0

Pierre-Henri Azagoh was red carded for foul play on Munster’s Peter O’Mahony on 49 minutes. The hosts immediately made their visitors pay for the infringement as Alex Klendellen crashed over for his side’s third try of the game. Jack Crowley maintained his excellent kicking record by adding another conversion.

Shortly afterwards, Baptiste Pesenti picked Craig Casey up and dumped him into the ground. Referee Luke Pearce had no hesitation in producing another red card, the second in four minutes, and reduced Stade Francais to 13 men.

Try for Farrell

Centre Tom Farrell soon added Munster’s fourth try of the evening, and with Crowley kicking successfully again, in difficult windy conditions, Munster were 28-0 with 55 minutes played.

Stade Francais finally got on the scoreboard after 59 minutes when front row Clement Castets touched down. An excellent conversion effort from Zack Henry was successful, leaving Munster with a 28-7 advantage.

Gavin Coombes completing the Munster scoring by claiming his 47th try for the province, as Jack Crowley missed his only kick of the night.

Munster ran out 33-7 winners over 13-man Stade Francais to claim an opening night Investec Champions Cup win.

Munster will travel to Castres Olympique next for their Friday evening Investec Champions Cup second round tie, while Stade Francais will host Saracens tomorrow week.

Full-time: Munster Rugby 33  Stade Francais Paris 7

Munster:

15 Shane Daly, 14  Calvin Nash, 13 Tom Farrell, 12 Alex Nankivell, 11 Thaakir Abrahams, 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Craig Casey.

1 Dian Bleuler, 2 Diarmuid Barron (captain), 3 John Ryan, 4 Evan O’Connell, 5 Fineen Wycherley, 6 Peter O’Mahony, 7 Alex Kendellen, 8 Gavin Coombes.

Munster Replacements:

16 Niall Scannell, 17 Kieran Ryan, 18 Stephen Archer, 19 Tadhg Beirne, 20 John Hodnett, 21 Paddy Patterson, 22 Billy Burns, 23 Jack O’Donoghue.

Stade Francais:

15 Joe Jonas, 14 Charles Laloi, 13 Joe Marchant, 12 Pierre Boudehent, 11 Samuel Ezeala, 10 Zack Henry, 9 Thibaut Motassi.

1 Clement Castets, 2 Lucas Peyresblanques, 3 Francisco Gomez Kodela, 4 Pierre-Henri Azagoh, 5 Baptiste Pesenti, 6 Pierre Huguet, 7 Ryan Chapuis (captain), 8 Yoan Tanga.

Stade Francais Replacements:

16 Luka Petriashvili, 17 Moses Alo-Emile, 18 Paul Alo-Emile, 19 Setareki Turagacoke, 20 Andy Timo, 21 Juan Martin Scelzo, 22 Louis Foursans-Bourdette, 23 Louis Carbonel.

Referee: Luke Pearce (RFU)

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The game will be live on RTÉ 2 and Premier Sports 1.

Barron to captain Munster

Shane Daly starts at full-back on his 100th appearance for Munster with Diarmuid Barron captaining the side in the Champions Cup for the first time.

Academy lock Evan O’Connell keeps his place on the team to start on his first Champions Cup game, while Munster Rugby Academy prop Kieran Ryan is expected to make his first European appearance off the bench.

Daly is one of five changes to the starting Munster team that defeated Emirates Lions 17-10 last week.

Returning internationals

Returning Ireland internationals Calvin Nash, Jack Crowley, Craig Casey and Peter O’Mahony all start, with Tadhg Beirne named among the replacements.

Short-term signing Dian Bleuler, Tom Farrell and Thaakir Abrahams start on their first Champions Cup appearances for Munster.

Daly, Nash and Abrahams comprise the back three as Alex Nankivell, who has signed a new two-year contract, and Tom Farrell, continue their centre partnership.

Casey and Crowley are the half-backs.

Bleuler, Barron and John Ryan are in the front row with O’Connell and Fineen Wycherley completing an unchanged front five.

O’Mahony, Alex Kendellen and Gavin Coombes start together in the back row.

Replacements Bench

Niall Scannell, Kieran Ryan and Stephen Archer provide the front row back-up. Tadhg Beirne, John Hodnett and Jack O’Donoghue complete the forward cover.

Paddy Patterson and Billy Burns are the backline replacements with Burns set for his first appearance in the Champions Cup for the men in red.

Munster Team

15 Shane Daly, 14 Calvin Nash, 13 Tom Farrell, 12 Alex Nankivell, 11 Thaakir Abrahams,  10 Jack Crowley, 9 Craig Casey.

1 Dian Bleuler, 2 Diarmuid Barron (captain), 3 John Ryan, 4 Evan O’Connell, 5 Fineen Wycherley, 6 Peter O’Mahony, 7 Alex Kendellen, 8 Gavin Coombes.

Munster Replacements

16 Niall Scannell, 17 Kieran Ryan, 18 Stephen Archer, 19 Tadhg Beirne, 20 John Hodnett, 21 Paddy Patterson, 22 Billy Burns, 23 Jack O’Donoghue.

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The fixture that marked the formal celebration of the 150th anniversary of Ireland’s first men’s fixture which took place during the 1874/’75 season.

This afternoon’s game saw Cian Healy set a new Ireland record as he won his 134th international cap.

Australia take early lead

A nervous Ireland found themselves on the back foot during the early stages of Saturday’s game.

A high tackle from Joe McCarthy, which was viewed by officials who decided only to award a penalty – and not go for a yellow card – saw Noah Lolesio kick an easy penalty from directly in front of the posts to put his side into the lead in the 10th minute.

Joe Schmidt’s visitors extended their advantage when Max Jorgensen scored the game’s opening try after 18 minutes.

As the Aussies became stronger, Ireland were stretched badly and under defensive pressure. Winger Kellaway looked to be heading in for a try only for a brilliant trip tackle from Sam Prendergast preventing the winger from scoring.

The visitors immediately spread the ball to the opposite side of the field and Max Jorgensen found himself in space. The Balmain Wolves’ player breached the try-scoring line for the opening five-pointer of the test match.

With Lolesio adding the extras, the Wallabies were in a 10-0 lead.

Van der Flier try

The concession of a penalty by the Wallabies led to Ireland’s first score of the game. With Australia on the back foot from the ensuing Ireland line-out, within three phases Gibson-Park broke for the line before passing to Van der Flier for his 13th international try.

Sam Prendergast missed the conversion opportunity, meaning it was double scores: Ireland 5 Australia 10.

A second successful Lolesio penalty kick extended the visitors’ lead to 13-5 –  the final score of the opening 40 minutes.

Half-time: Ireland 5  Australia 13

Ireland took their early second-half opportunity to reduce the deficit. Aussie prop James Slipper was penalised, giving Sam Prendergast a kick from the 10m line, directly in front of the posts. The Leinster kicker comfortably had both the direction and the distance to reduce his side’s deficit to 8-13.

Captain’s try 

With Ireland having the momentum, Andy Farrell’s side claimed their second try of the game shortly afterwards. Australia were penalised, and Prendergast kicked for the line. Winning their own throw-in, the home side, with a baying crowd behind them, made headway for the line, with captain, and eventual player of the match Caelin Doris, touching down to put the sides level for the first time in the game. The easy conversion kick, from directly in front of the posts, was slotted over by Prendergast, and Ireland took a 15-13 lead.

As Ireland made changes, one of them, Tom O’Toole was only on the field when conceding a penalty. The easy kick for Lolesio pushed his side back into a marginal 16-15 lead.

Another penalty kick from Lolesio, this time from 47 metres out, but directly in front of the posts, pushed his side into a 15-19 advantage, as the game entered the final quarter.

McCarthy try for Ireland

Replacement Gus McCarthy claimed his second international try after 73 minutes, before another Ireland replacement Jack Crowley successfully converted for a 22-19 lead for the home side – the final score of Ireland’s fourth Autumn Series international.

Today’s international test was the 38th meeting of Ireland and Australia, with the hosts having now 15 successes since the sides first met at Lansdowne Road on 12 November 1927. The Australians have 22 wins to their name and there has been one draw in games between the two countries.

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Trained by Gordon Elliott – the middle part of a treble – the 20/1 chance had two and half lengths in hand on Lucid Dreams from the John Ryan yard.

The runner-up, ridden by Danny Mullins, started at 22/1, while Yeah Man (16/1) and Perceval Legallois (10/1) finished third and fourth respectively.

The Grade 3 John Lynch Carpets Monksfield Novice Hurdle also went to the Gordon Elliott team through The Yellow Clay.

The 8/11 favourite, with Jack Kennedy in the saddle, came home a comfortable 10 length winner in the colours of Bective Stud.

Where’s My Jet (4/1) took the runner-up spot, ahead of Fleur In The Park (9/2) and Prends Garde A Toi in the two and a half mile contest.

Better Days Ahead (2/1) overturned the 1/2 favourite Slade Steel in the Race And Stay Irish EBF Beginners Chase.

In the ownership of Bective Stud, Jack Kennedy had four lengths of an advantage over the Henry de Bromhead-trained favourite at the winning post.

Big win for Ray Beckett

Tipperary handler Ray Beckett tasted success in the €45,000 Bar One Racing Tara Handicap Hurdle with 28/1 chance Sequoiaspirit, in the hands of jockey Liam Quinlan.

The opening Bar One Racing Boost 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle was won by race favourite Total Look at 11/4.

Trained by Gavin Cromwell and ridden by Keith Donoghue, the French-bred son of Cloth Of Stars held off Beyond Your Dreams (18/5) by half a length.

Cast A Spell (12/1) lost her maiden tag in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF (Mares) Maiden Hurdle over two miles.

Ridden by Cian Quirke for handler Tom Hogan, the six-year-old daughter of Mastercraftsman crossed the finishing line two lengths ahead of the odds-on favourite Qualimita (30/100) in the 21-runner race.

Another de Bronhead/O’Keeffe winner

The good form of Henry de Bromhead and Darragh O’Keeffe continued as Love Me (14/1) became the Waterford trainer’s ninth winner in 14 days when taking the Gaeil Colmcille GAA Kells Handicap Hurdle.

The concluding race of the successful two-day festival went to the Emmet Mullins-handled John Gleeson-ridden Churchfield Sunset at 7/1.

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With five winners for Elliott, his stable jockey Jack Kennedy rode three winners and top owners Bective Stud and Gigginstown House Stud both had two winners each.

Wingmen wins on hurdling debut

Dual bumper winner last season Wingmen (8/15 favourite) opened proceedings, taking the Kilderry Pub & Kitchen Maiden Hurdle for Noel and Valerie Moran of Bective Stud, and jockey Jack Kennedy.

The Fairyhouse bumper winner last month Blue De Vaissy (4/6 favourite) easily won the first graded race of the afternoon, the Grade 3 Bar One Racing For Auction Novice Hurdle over two miles, in the colours of Gigginstown House Stud, again in the hands of Kerry rider Jack Kennedy.

Found A Fifty claims Fortria Chase

The Grade 2 Bar One Racing Fortria Chase then fell to Elliott’s team, as Found A Fifty (11/8 favourite) gave Kennedy a treble and owners Bective Stud their double.

Down Memory Lane (7/1), third to Caldwell Potter in a Grade 1 novice hurdle at Leopardstown last Christmas, made a successful debut over the larger obstacles when winning the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase for the Cullentra House team, jockey Mark Walsh and owner J.P. McManus.

The five-timer was completed for Elliott in the Bar One Racing ‘Guaranteed Overnight Prices’ bumper when Harry Swan pushed the Gigginstown House Stud-owned favourite Whinney Hill (6/4 favourite) out to claim a three and a half length success.

Home By The Lee wins his second Lismullen

The Grade 2 Railway Bar Lismullen Hurdle over two and a half miles was won by Home By The Lee (7/1).

The 2022 winner of the race, and third-place finisher last year, is trained by Joseph O’Brien for Seán O’Driscoll and the nine-year-old was ridden by Danny Mullins.

Cork jockey Michael O’Sullivan gave Slane Hill (9/1) an enterprising ride in the Lisadell Equine Hospital Handicap Hurdle. Hitting the front early doors, the seven-year-old came home in splendid isolation for trainer and owner Barry Connell.

County Waterford trainer John Flavin was also among the winners with Clarens (9/1) a battling winner of the Hotel Park St. Johann in Tirol Austria Handicap Hurdle, under Alex Harvey.

Day two of the Navan Racing Festival gets underway at 11.35am on Sunday.

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