Trainer Willie Mullins
Trainer Willie Mullins

Bachasson cruises to Limestone Lad success at Naas for trainer Willie Mullins


Bachasson proved himself a class apart as he sauntered to a comfortable success in the Grade Three Limestone Lad Hurdle at Naas.


Willie Mullins' grey is a ten-year-old now but he continues to prove himself a fine servant to connections and had far too many guns for younger rivals Grand Roi and Beacon Edge, making all of the running under Paul Townend.

Bachasson (11/8 favourite) was dropping back to two miles having scored over an extended two miles, three furlongs at Punchestown on New Year's Eve, but he always had matters in control, popping away in front as his four rivals slowly started to feel the pinch.

Townend was still holding Bachasson together as the pair approached the second-last flight, but with Grand Roi failing to bridge the gap and Beacon Edge floundering, a couple of safe jumps were all that were required to seal a convincing four and three quarter-length success.

Beacon Edge did rally late on but Grand Roi held him off for second.

Paddy Power reacted by cutting Bachasson to 25/1 from 40/1 for the Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Mullins said: "He’s enjoying himself. I thought it was a big ask bringing him back to two miles, but my backroom team overruled me and said he must go here. It’s one up for them.

"We’ll be looking at the Red Mills day at Gowran, and he’ll probably get an entry in both the hurdle and the chase.

"If we can keep him in that sort of form, who knows what will happen?

"I thought after he fell in the Gold Cup in Cheltenham (in 2018) that he wouldn’t run again. We had to reroute the races we were aiming for, and Grade Two and Grade Three races suit him better."

Bachasson was competing a quickfire double for Townend who steered Coltor (11/4 favourite) to victory in the opening Naas Maiden Hurdle.

Dermot Weld's charge returned a beaten favourite at Punchestown only a couple of weeks ago but he produced a much better display here, gamely holding off Showbusiness and Zoffanien in a tight finish.


Like what you've read?

Next Off

Sporting Life
My Stable
Follow and track your favourite Horses, Jockeys and Trainers. Never miss a race with automated alerts.
Access to exclusive features all for FREE - No monthly subscription fee
Click HERE for more information

Most Followed

MOST READ RACING