Sharjah, right, pops the last in front of Zanahiyr© Photo Healy Racing
Willie Mullins continued his domination of the Grade One Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown as Sharjah enjoyed a smooth success.
With Abacadabras and Darasso ruled out, just the three horses went to post. Zanahiyr led with Sharjah lobbing along in a close second with his stablemate Echoes In Rain keeping both in her sights in third.
Echoes In Rain didn't put her best jumps in at the third last and penultimate hurdle. She came under pressure before the home bend and the race soon developed into a match between the front pair.
Zanahiyr was scrubbed along by Davy Russell and the pair were passed before the last by a sweet-travelling Sharjah.
The 6/4 favourite jumped it nimbly and was driven clear on the run-in by Patrick Mullins to prevail by three lengths.
This gave Mullins snr his 11th Morgiana in the last 12 years.
Willie Mullins said: “He runs his race everyday and he has a little bit of class. He’s a wonderful servant to have around the place.
“I’d imagine he’ll go back to Leopardstown at Christmas all being well.
“It was very tactical but the way it played out played into Sharjah’s hands.
“They went a bit too slow for the filly (Echoes In Rain). She was too buzzy and didn’t jump well enough at that slow pace. She has a lot of improvement to do but hopefully she will improve.”
Patrick Mullins added: “The race played out ideal for me. He jumped great, was outjumping Davy (Russell on Zanahiyr) and I kept pulling him back. It turned into a sprint which suited him.
“He’s given me some great days but a lot of credit has to go to David Porter and Eilish Byrne who look after him and ride him out. I’m very grateful to Rich Ricci because I’ve got to ride this horse ahead of the number one jockey a couple of times.
“I could have ridden Echoes In Rain today but I wanted to stay loyal to Sharjah and luckily it’s paid off. He doesn’t get the credit he deserves. He’s like Santa — I can’t wait for Christmas now!”
This was the third winner on the day for Mullins snr who also saw Dysart Diamond win in Punchestown while Dads Lad was successful in Cork.
Sharjah also took this prize in 2018.
Paddy Power halved Sharjah from 20/1 to 10/1 for the Champion Hurdle.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
