WITH FAVOURITE FAUGHEEN ruled out of the BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle, Petit Mouchoir ran to victory in Leopardstown today.
Navigated by David Mullins and trained by Henry De Bromhead, the 9-10 favourite set a relentless gallop and separated himself from his three rivals to claim the win.
Footpad finished strong and made a good attempt to catch the winner on the dash to the line, but Mullins did enough to keep Petit Mouchoir in line to fend off any challengers, with a length in hand.
Meanwhile, the Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novice Chase proved a dramatic race, with just one of the four horses finishing.
Subsequently, De Bromhead pulled off a big-race double as Some Plan ran to victory.
The finish was an exciting one, as he trailed to Royal Caviar under Ruby Walsh approaching the final fence. The latter fell however, while Some Plan was guided to victory by Davy Russell.
Identity Thief, trained also by De Bromhead, unseated jockey David Mullins at the first fence, while Barry Geraghty faced the same fate at the third, unseated by 15-8 favourite Bleu Et Rouge.
Also at Leopardstown, Wille Mullins-trained and Ruby Walsh-ridden Melon made a winning debut in the Donohue Marquees Maiden Hurdle.
Let’s Dance then helped Mullins and Walsh to a double, winning the Nathaniel Lacy & Partners solicitors Novice Hurdle.
In other news, there will be a decision made on Annie Power’s fate in early February, according to Rich Ricci.
Willie Mullins’ wondermare was found to have a leg injury on Wednesday morning.
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