Un De Sceaux and Paul Townend© Photo Healy Racing
Un De Sceaux gained back-to-back wins in the BoyleSports Champion Chase at Punchestown today as the Willie Mullins trained, O'Connell family-owned marvel brought his career earnings to €1.75m with victory under Champion Jockey-elect Paul Townend.
Champion Trainer Mullins had a strong hand with three runners, Un De Sceaux, Min and Great Field in the six horse race as Min was returned the 8/13 favourite, ahead of 11/4 second-choice Un De Sceaux.
In the race both horses went well clear of their rivals from four out and while Min gave chase to Un De Sceaux in the home straight, Un De Sceaux belied his 11 years when proving too strong for his three years younger stablemate, whom he beat four lengths at the line.
Trainer Mullins had earlier won the top level novice hurdle with Klassical Dream and following his latest big race success, said “he’s (Un De Sceaux) an incredible horse for an 11-year-old in a race like that — I think he is probably older than the two hunt horses that led him in!
“It’s unbelievable the energy he has and he comes out with that every morning. I’ve never had a horse with his enthusiasm, he just loves it.
“Paul (Townend) thought he was dead underneath him at the start but the minute he faced him for the tape he came alive. He said he was a passenger for three quarters of the way but that’s a great feeling for a jockey being on a machine like that and jumping so well.
“Un De Sceaux has come here a fresh horse compared to Min. Min had a very hard race in Aintree, and maybe he needs an extra half-mile at this stage of his career."
Dual Cheltenham festival winner Un De Sceaux was today winning his 23rd race, from 32 lifetime runs, and was today following up last year's success, having then beaten another better fancied odds-on stablemate Douvan (4/5f).
Quotes from Alan Magee
