Au Quart De Tour and Ruby Walsh crash out leaving Victory Mill (Bryan Cooper) and Ah Littleluck to battle it out© Photo Healy Racing
What we ended up with was a treble for Gigginstown House Stud and Bryan Cooper after the win of Victory Mill (13/2) in the Fairyhouse Membership 2016 Maiden Hurdle. It could have been five from five for Willie Mullins though, if Au Quart De Tour hadn't fallen at the last.
Gordon Elliott 's Victory Mill hadn't been seen out since making a victorious debut in a Lingstown point-to-point in March of 2014, and here he tackled the sweet-travelling Au Quart De Tour from before the last.
When that one crashed out eventual second Ah Littleluck was hampered, but so to was Victory Mill. In the end the latter found most in the closing stages to oblige by four lengths.
They left the well-backed Coeur Joyeux (11/4 into 9/4) all of thirty two lengths back in third.
Cooper (won earlier on Roi Des Francs and Gangster commented afterwards: "He's a horse that doesn't show that much at home but he jumps very well. He was the same when he won his point-to-point.
"It's hard to know what Ruby's horse would have found but he's a lovely horse and will improve alot."
J.S. McGarvey, rider of Chasing Maverick trained by Denis W. Cullen, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount burst a blood vessel.
R.C. Colgan, rider of Mental Strength trained by Mrs Gillian Callaghan, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount made a respiratory noise throughout this race.
The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Chasing Maverick, at the request of trainer, Denis W. Cullen, and reported the animal to have burst a blood vessel in running and furthermore had lost a right fore shoe.
(AM & EM)
