18+ | Commercial Content | T&Cs apply | Wagering and T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly | Advertising Disclosure
icon
Gary Carson

Gary Carson

Beauchene class act in hunters

Thu 15th Jan 2015, 16:40

A fine leap from Prince De BeaucheneA fine leap from Prince De Beauchene
© Photo Healy Racing

Prince De Beauchene proved a class act as he cruised to success in the concluding Arctic Tack Stud Hunters Chase at Thurles, giving Willie Mullins a treble on the card.

The French-bred was previously a Grade 2 winner over fences and one-time leading fancy for the Grand National.

He had made a winning start in point-to-points last month and posted another easy victory in his first hunters chase.

Patrick Mullins sent the 8/11 shot on going into the back straight in the three-mile contest. He had his rivals struggling turning for home and pulled clear with big leaps at the last two.

Mullins didn't have to move as he went on to record a six-and-a-half length victory over early leader Seventh Sign

"I'm delighted how he has adapted to hunter chasing and his next run will be in the hunters' chase at Leopardstown (Hennessy Gold Cup day)," said Mullins senior afterwards.

Patrick Mullins told Attheraces: "He's just rediscovering his enthusiasm

"He was having to run in a lot of very good races and he was just getting very sour. He hadn't run very well for over two years and hadn't won in over two years.

"Unfortunately he's not qualified for any of the hunter chases in England but that's probably no harm. Another year will do no harm and when he's 13 he'll go to Aintree."

(Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes)

About Gary Carson
Gary started out as a trainee/assistant journalist with the Sporting Life newspaper and has worked in the racing industry for over 25 years. He has been with the Press Association since 2013 and won the Irish Field Nap Table in 2016. He enjoys working with horses and trained his own horse, Mamaslittlestar, to win a point-to-point in 2019.