Prince De Beauchene and Patrick Mullins jump the last© Photo Healy Racing
Willie Mullins brought up a notable treble at Leopardstown today when his Prince De Beauchene (5/4f) landed the Raymond Smith Memorial Hunters Chase, under the Champion Trainer's son Patrick Mullins.
The race featured well known hunters On The Fringe and the returning Salsify and while once high class but now 12 year old Prince De Beauchene's fledgeling hunter chase career may be something of an after-thought, he did show plenty of his old sparkle today.
Jockey Mullins waited to make his challenge until the final fence and on the run-in, the veteran gelding galloped gamely to the line, for a three parts of a length win over On The Fringe.
Mullins senior, who earlier landed a Grade 1 double with Petite Parisienne and Nichols Canyon later stated "he'll go to Fairyhouse I think, as he's not qualified across the water (for either the Cheltenham or Aintree Foxhunters).
"Patrick said he wasn't in love with it today; he jumped the first two or three exuberantly but then shortened up a bit and maybe it was getting a bit dry. Hopefully he stays right until Fairyhouse."
Paddy Power later left runner-up On The Fringe unchanged at 8/1 for the Cheltenham Foxhunters.
By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson
