Leopardstown Results Tue, 29th Dec, 2015

See also » Nichols tops in tremendous Ryanair
He's so tough and his battling qualities and jumping remind of Hurricane Fly. To look at him would remind me of him too,. He wouldn't have the speed of Hurricane Fly but he has the stamina and aggression and he's certainly getting into that realm of ability. For him to have won six Grade 1s at his age is a fair effort. He impressed me there. He had a tough race there and it's going to take him a long time to get over it. It would be a worry if we were looking at the Irish Champion Hurdle. He'll get and entry and we'll see how he comes out of this. I thought he was finished after the mistake two out but Ruby maintained his position on the inside and a got little breather on the last bend. Obviously he got a good enough jump at the last. A lot of horses would have backed off but he put his head down. It probably helps that he ran in handicaps on the Flat and that experience is a huge help in those situations. At the fifth last Ruby pulled him back but he stood back off it and still got there. That must have taken an awful lot out of him. Ruby then made a positive move on him and I was wondering if he would empty. He decided to make the move but that might have used up a lot of petrol. From Ruby's perspective he felt Bryan was slacking off the pace and he didn't want that to happen. It's easy to ride them from where I'm standing. Ruby told me the reason he did it after. W P Mullins, trainer

A hurdle race for four yrs old and upwards
Weights - 4-y-o 11st 7lb; 5-y-o and up 11st 10lb; Mares allowed 7lb; To Close 25th November;