Kemboy and Danny Mullins© Photo Healy Racing
Danny Mullins capitalised on his cousin David Mullins' recent retirement when gaining a career biggest win on spare ride Kemboy in the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown today, thus continuing the dominance of trainer Willie Mullins at the Dublin Racing Festival..
Twenty-four year old David Mullins' retirement last month has opened doors for Danny Mullins (26) and today the older cousin gained a career highlight when making all the running to win on Kemboy.
Nine year old Kemboy, the horse who carried Ruby Walsh to retirement at the 2019 Punchestown Festival, today set a brisk pace and while 13/8 favourite Minella Indo attempted to challenge in the final half-mile, that rival faded turning for home. The Storyteller went in pursuit of Kemboy at the final fence but was unable to bridge the gap as the winning son of Voix Du Nord scored a two lengths win.
It was Willie Mullins' 11th success in the famous race and the Champion Trainer, recording his fourth winner of the day, later commented “it’s fantastic for Danny and the owners; I had Paul (Townend) down to ride this lad and Patrick (Mullins) on Melon but Paul said he’d like to ride Melon.
“He really surprised me on that ground. The chase track is a lot better than the hurdle track and they were all able to pick a spot up the middle to outside. I thought all the rain we had would have affected that lad but he seems to be getting stronger with age.
“Danny got some great jumps out of him. I think he made one mistake at the second last first time around. I’m very pleased to win another Irish Gold Cup.
“He’s entered in the Gold Cup and the Stayers Hurdle. I’m just not sure whether fences around Cheltenham are his thing so that’s why we put him into the Stayers. We thought maybe we should try something different with him at Cheltenham so that’s why we made that entry.”
Regarding Melon, which finished last of the five, he added “different tactics didn’t work on Melon. He keeps his best for Cheltenham but hasn’t managed to get to the lollipop in front yet.
“We’ll have a chat with the owners but maybe something like the Ryanair and let him enjoy himself and race from the beginning might suit him."
Winning jockey Danny Mullins was understandably delighted with the result and added “myself and David (Mullins) were chatting after the race at Christmas and he said he's not fast but is a great galloper and this is a ride he would probably have had so it's thanks to him that I am on board today.
“It's great to be winning these high level races at the big meetings is what it's all about and riding a good horse like this is fantastic.”
Kemboy, now the winner of four Grade 1 chases, was later cut to 10/1, from 14s, for the Gold Cup with Betfair.
He was also trimmed to 12/1, from 25/1, with sponsors Paddy Power for the Stayers Hurdle.
Quotes from Alan Magee
