WILLIE MULLINS CLAIMED another Grade 1 winner but not with the horse everyone was expecting as Whiteout produced a superb performance to cause an upset at Punchestown.
Mullins landed a one-two in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Champion Hurdle but his pre-race favourite, Limini, had to settle for second.
Instead it was Whiteout, with Paul Townend on board, who entered the winner’s enclosure after striding home by four and three-quarter lengths on the final day of the 2016 festival.
There was more success for Mullins later on the card as Apple’s Jade ran out an impressive winner of the AES Champions Four Year Old Hurdle.
Bryan Cooper guided the favourite to victory over her rival, Ivanovich Gorbatov, by nine lengths.
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Meanwhile, Galileo Gold, ridden by Frankie Dettori, won the English 2,000 Guineas with hot favourite Air Force One proving a bitter disappointment.
Frankie Dettori celebrates. Julian Herbert
Julian Herbert
Aidan O’Brien’s champion two-year-old of last season was sent off at 4-5, the first odds on shot in the colt’s mile classic since the mighty Frankel in 2011.
But unlike Frankel, who strode to a majestic victory, Air Force One was soon struggling under Ryan Moore, eventually crossing the line 12th of the 13 runners.
Dettori in contrast had a silky smooth path to his third 2,000 Guineas success.
Jumping smartly out of the stalls he had the Hugo Palmer-trained colt quickly in front, before taking a lead behind Zhui Feng.
By the two furlong marker Dettori kicked him into the lead again, cutting across to the stands rail to beat Massaat by a length and a quarter.
Willie Mullins' Whiteout stuns much-fancied stablemate at Punchestown
WILLIE MULLINS CLAIMED another Grade 1 winner but not with the horse everyone was expecting as Whiteout produced a superb performance to cause an upset at Punchestown.
Mullins landed a one-two in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Champion Hurdle but his pre-race favourite, Limini, had to settle for second.
Instead it was Whiteout, with Paul Townend on board, who entered the winner’s enclosure after striding home by four and three-quarter lengths on the final day of the 2016 festival.
There was more success for Mullins later on the card as Apple’s Jade ran out an impressive winner of the AES Champions Four Year Old Hurdle.
Bryan Cooper guided the favourite to victory over her rival, Ivanovich Gorbatov, by nine lengths.
Meanwhile, Galileo Gold, ridden by Frankie Dettori, won the English 2,000 Guineas with hot favourite Air Force One proving a bitter disappointment.
Aidan O’Brien’s champion two-year-old of last season was sent off at 4-5, the first odds on shot in the colt’s mile classic since the mighty Frankel in 2011.
But unlike Frankel, who strode to a majestic victory, Air Force One was soon struggling under Ryan Moore, eventually crossing the line 12th of the 13 runners.
Dettori in contrast had a silky smooth path to his third 2,000 Guineas success.
Jumping smartly out of the stalls he had the Hugo Palmer-trained colt quickly in front, before taking a lead behind Zhui Feng.
By the two furlong marker Dettori kicked him into the lead again, cutting across to the stands rail to beat Massaat by a length and a quarter.
Ribchester, at 33-1 was third.
Punchestown – Saturday’s results:
With reporting from AFP.
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Horse Racing Punchestown Punchestown 2016 Racing