‘He was well named, I think’ – Mullins impressed with He’s On Fire

He’s On Fire lived up to his name with a runaway victory in the Paddy Kehoe Suspended Ceilings Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse.

A 20-length winner on his stable debut at Carlisle in February, the five-year-old lined up as one of six runners for Willie Mullins in a Grade Two contest he has won with dual Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Al Boum Photo (2017) and subsequent Grand National winner Nick Rockett (2023) in recent years.

He’s On Fire was the 3-1 favourite in the hands of Paul Townend and once given his head he scooted clear of his rivals in the home straight, quickening up smartly between the final two flights and safely negotiating the last to seal a thoroughly impressive 12-length success.

Mullins said: “It was very impressive. He’s shown us at home that he was half-decent.

“He looks like a real chaser in the making, he has size and scope. He might just be another good horse for Rich and Susannah (Ricci).

“I’m sure he’ll have no trouble getting three miles over fences. I thought he jumped well enough, but the way he opened up from the second-last was ‘wow’, it was something else.

“We’ll have a look at the Grade One in Punchestown, but I’m looking forward to next year more than anything else, when he goes novice chasing. He was well named, I think.” Koktail Brut bagged his second Grade Two victory of the season at Fairyhouse in the Donohue Marquees Novice Hurdle.

Gordon Elliott ’s charge won the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at the County Meath circuit in November, since when he had come up short in three Grade One events, most recently finishing eighth in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

With Cheltenham absentee and even-money favourite Leader d’Allier weakening quickly from the home turn, Royal Bond runner-up Blake emerged as 13-2 shot Koktail Brut’s biggest threat, but his challenge ended when falling at the final flight, leaving the Elliott runner and Jack Kennedy to score by nine and a half lengths.

“He’s a good horse, he was giving a penalty away there,” said Elliott.

“It was nip and tuck down to the last and Noel Meade’s horse fell. Jack thought he had the beating of him and I thought it was a good performance.

“He could be a nice chaser next year. He was bought to be a big chaser down the road, he’s a gorgeous horse.

“I doubt if we’ll see him again this year. He’s a lovely horse for the future.”