WILLIE MULLINS WAS crowned Ireland’s champion jump trainer after a stunning tussle with Gordon Elliott concluded at the final day of Punchestown.
A victory for Elliott’s Apple’s Jade (5/6 favourite) in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Champion Hurdle couldn’t deny Mullins, as Bapaume Grade One’s (2/1 favourite) win in the AES Champion Four Year Old Hurdle sealed his triumph.
“He’s a tough little horse,” Bapaume’s jockey Ruby Walsh told RTE Sport after the race.
“He probably got outstayed by Mega Fortune at Leopardstown in January. He jumped the last really well and stuck his head out.
“He’s only a handy little horse but he’s delivered on a very very important day.”
Mullins added: “I think we got the tactics right in that race. Mega Fortune was the one to try and beat and it worked out.
“Bapaume has kept his form all season and is a fantastic horse. I’d imagine that he will stay hurdling next season but whether he can step up again we’ll see.
“It’s tough for four-year-olds the following year.”
