Kilcruit leads them home under Derek O'Connor© Photo Healy Racing
After his five winners on day one, there was a Grade One double at the second stage of the Punchestown Festival for Willie Mullins as Kilcruit triumphed in the ITM - Supporting Irish Store Sales Champion I.N.H. Flat Race under Derek O’Connor.
Kilcruit here reversed Cheltenham form with Sir Gerhard (the choice of Patrick Mullins, 3rd on this occasion) as he beat O’Toole by four and three parts of a length. Lake Winnipesaukee had taken them along, soon clear. He came back to the field and was headed four and a half furlongs out, eventually weakening to a tailed off last of the eight.
"I thought there was a fear in this race that it was going to be tactical with the small number of runners. After talking to Paul Townend, David Casey and Ruby, they all had the same impression, even Patrick, he was very honest before the race — he said you're on the better stayer," said O'Connor.
"He said he had the speedier horse (Sir Gerhard) but the way the race worked out, and the pace, it ended up being a right staying race and that's where this horse is at his best.
"There's a great job being done here with the watering and it's actually riding quite tiring.
"For the ground conditions we were going a good gallop and it ended up being a staying race.
"I've been trying for 15 or 16 years to win this. Blazing Liss was my first ride in it for the Flynn family and John Kiely.
"It's a day I'll never forget. I think we should have won it. I'm glad I got it done today."
Willie Mullins stated: “He looked pretty good there. He glided down to the start. He loved that ground and when you consider how well he handled really heavy ground at Navan in the middle of winter and then win like that — this horse could be anything.
“We’ve had the family for years and years and I think this could be the last one out of it. My mother (breeder) will be happy this evening, and it’s great for Mags and Michael Masterson (owners).
“Appreciate It will be back for next season. He just had a small setback which we couldn’t get right for this week.”
(AM & EM)
