The latest sports news from The42.ie in 60 seconds
A DAY AFTER Jonbon strutted his stuff at Sandown, Energumene proved his considerable ability remains very much intact with a successful return from 20 months on the sidelines in the Bar One Racing Hilly Way Chase at Cork.
The Willie Mullins-trained 10-year-old claimed this Grade Two prize in both 2021 and 2022, kicking off campaigns which both featured victory in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham. He missed the entirety of last season through injury, though, meaning his returned to Cork marked his first competitive outing since winning at the Punchestown Festival in the spring of 2023. Despite his lengthy absence, Energumene was a 5-4 favourite to make it a Hilly Way hat-trick under Paul Townend and he jumped accurately on front end throughout. The race-fit Banbridge was the only one able to go with him in the straight, but he just looked to be coming off second-best when unseating Richie Deegan at the final fence. Advertisement His exit left Energumene clear of the remainder and he passed the post with 10 lengths in hand over stablemate Dinoblue, with Appreciate It and Blue Lord rounding off a Mullins one-two-three-four.“I thought Dinoblue would make more of the running, but Paul said his horse was just looking for fences to jump and wanted to go a better gallop, so he let him on instead of fighting him. “I was very happy with how he jumped and he had been doing everything right since her came back in August. Hopefully he can keep going that way and it was a nice performance to build on for the season.” Coral cut Energumene’s odds to land a third Champion Chase to 5-1 from 8-1, with Nicky Henderson’s dual Tingle Creek hero Jonbon their 5-2 favourite and another Mullins inmate, Gaelic Warrior, splitting the pair at 100-30. Energumene memorably came off second-best in a titanic clash with Shishkin in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot in January 2022 and whether he will head back to Berkshire for a possible clash with Shishkin’s stablemate Jonbon next month remains to be seen. “He didn’t look like he needed the run, galloped the whole way to the line and had looked excellent since he came in,” the champion trainer added. “Normally we skip Christmas and the Clarence House Chase was what we did previously, so we’ll see how he comes out of it before making any decision.” Speaking on RTE Sport, Mullins said he was impressed with Jonbon: “He put in a terrific round of jumping, it’s there to play for. We’ll give him competition, it’s one we’ll all look forward to whenever they meet. Hopefully we can keep them apart until Cheltenham.” Mullins also had good news on the talented but fragile Ferny Hollow, who was in the process of running a decent race on his return to action before falling in the home straight. He said: “I’m told Ferny Hollow is fine and the news back is that he is good and came home and I was very happy with how most of the rest ran. “It was nice to get them out and started for the season so we’ll try to find opportunities for them.”
Please follow us on Google to support usEnergumene Horse Racing Willie Mullins Winner Alright
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Willie Mullins nominates dark horse for Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham FestivalThe six-year-old returned to Australia with high hopes after winning the Lonsdale Cup at York and finishing second to star stayer Kyprios in the Irish St Leger.
Read more »
Willie Mullins-trained Cheltenham Festival hopeful sold for €1.2 millionRich Ricci owned six-year-old to remain in Australia after big money purchase Down Under
Read more »
Willie Mullins set to take wraps off some of his biggest stars at PunchestownTop three in Cheltenham Gold Cup betting set to clash in vintage John Durkan Chase as winter weather sets in
Read more »
Willie Mullins to unleash stable stars as Cheltenham winners to clashWillie Mullins sends some of his big guns to Punchestown
Read more »
Willie Mullins to have first ever runner at Sedgefield on TuesdayThe Willie Mullins' trained Mr Escobar will travel on a 1200km round-trip for the opening novices’ hurdle at Durham venue
Read more »
Willie Mullins causes big King George shake-up after withdrawing horsesThe champion jumps trainer took out all eight of his entries from the Boxing Day showpiece including the ante-post favourite Gaelic Warrior
Read more »