Mullins & Townend complete Punchestown doubles UK point-to-point winner Ramillies registered a first hurdles success at Punchestown today, completing a double for trainer Willie Mullins and jockey Paul Townend in the I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle. A debut UK points winner for Tom Lacey at Bishops Court, the son of Shantou was a Leopardstown bumper winner in Christmas 2020 and was later unplaced in high-class bumpers at the Dublin, Cheltenham and Punchestown festivals. Today the 4/9 favourite matched in-running at 3.35 (approximately 9/4) but later quickened away from his rivals in the home straight for a seven lengths win over The Waltzer. Trainer Mullins, earlier successful with Burning Victory, stated “the improvement from the last day was good. He just doesn't have much respect for hurdles and probably wants a fence. “We'll maybe look at the Albert Bartlett for him but he'd want to jump a lot better than he did there. He'd be an outsider for that but I think he'd acquit himself well. “He was staying on the whole way to the end and that little circuit (on the inside course) there wouldn't suit him, I think he'd be way better again on a bigger track in a more competitive race. “I'll have a word with the owners and see what they want to do, otherwise we might have a program for him at home.” Quotes from Gary Carson
