Paul Townend and Blue Lord after winning at Punchestown
Blue Lord edges Clonmel Oil thriller as Willie Mullins lands one-two
By Sporting Life
17:01 · THU November 17, 2022
Blue Lord came from last to first to win the Grade 2 Clonmel Oil Chase but he had to dig deep to see off stablemate Tornado Flyer.
Willie Mullins was winning the race for the seventh time as Blue Lord (5/6 favourite) obliged on his first go outside of novice company, Paul Townend having nursed him into the contest from off the pace.
The seven-year-old jumped well and he had no problem stepping up half a mile in trip to the extended 2m4f, although Danny Mullins set slow fractions up front aboard King George winner Tornado Flyer (9/2).
He saw off Darasso and Pencilfulloflead, but had to give way to his younger stablemate who had travelled well in the rear.
However, while it looked as though Blue Lord would pull clear after the last, Tornado Flyer knuckled down bravely on his inside to produce a frantic finish, the winner holding on by a neck.
Paddy Power cut Blue Lord to 14/1 from 16s for the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
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Winning rider Townend said: "Anchoring him at the back I was giving away the advantage of him jumping so well, so delighted with him. I think he's straightened up since last year.
"He is maturing and he's no problem getting two and half. I winged the second last. He's promised a lot and had a great season last year, but he feels physically stronger.
"Hopefully he can keep improving."
Mullins added: "It's been a very lucky place for us, the ground is normally nice at this time of year.
"Danny likes riding Tornado so I let him ride it and he was happy to make the running. Paul was always going to jump in behind but it was an extraordinary race tactically.
"Paul timed it to perfection. Danny said Tornado jumped too big at the second last which cost him. I was very happy with the way he [Blue Lord] settled today.
“Blue Lord might get an entry for the Champion Chase, but if I can find a programme over two and a half miles, the Ryanair Chase would look a possibility.
“Danny said Tornado Flyer took a good blow so he will improve and we’ll send him, and maybe both, to the John Durkan at Punchestown.
“If Tornado Flyer comes out of that well, the King George would look the plan.”
Townend shines as Dolcita swoops
Dolcita finished with a flourish to claim top honours in the T.A. Morris Memorial Irish EBF Mares Chase at Clonmel.
A field of nine runners went to post for the Listed contest, with Dolcita one of two runners for champion trainer Willie Mullins along with Cheltenham Festival heroine Elimay.
While both brought strong claims to the table, neither headed the market, with that honour going to Joseph O’Brien’s 9/4 favourite Scarlet And Dove, who comprehensively beat both at Punchestown in April.
It was a very different story six months on, however, with both Scarlet And Dove and Elimay unable to land a telling blow as Ballyshannon Rose put up a bold display from the front.
Paul Townend conjured a late surge from 11/4 shot Dolcita, though, and she got up to score by half a length from the gallant runner-up.
Mullins said: “It is always easier to ride the second string and Paul just sat out and left them at it. They probably went a bit fast in front, he came along to take what was going and got the major prize.
“We went out hoping to get some prize money and didn’t think we’d get it all with her, but she is improving. That’ll be a big step up for her.
“Elimay will come along fitness-wise and the long-term plan is to go back to Cheltenham.”
Gordon Elliott: Had a couple of winners at Clonmel
Gordon Elliott enjoyed a double on the card, with Jack Kennedy steering Landrake (9/2) to win the opening maiden hurdle while The Four Sixes (5/1) won the second in the hands of Davy Russell.
Elliott’s assistant, Lisa O’Neill, said: “Landrake has definitely improved for the jump in front of him and the step up in trip. He will appreciate further in time and went through the ground really well – Jack was happy he handles it.
“The Four Sixes did it really nicely and Davy seemed really happy with him. He handled the ground really well and obviously it’s his first time over hurdles.”
Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore combined to land the Clonmel Oil Service Station Handicap Hurdle with 4/1 shot Clifton Warrior.
“I’m delighted with that. He just got lost in Listowel and something jumped into him and he came home sore. We found out he probably prefers that softer ground as well,” said De Bromhead.
“He is not a particularly big horse and we’ll keep him going over hurdles for this season. I’ll look for a soft ground, two-mile handicap hurdle somewhere next.”
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