An incredible display of horsemanship.
It was the Willie Mullins show in the opening race of the day in Fairyhouse on Saturday, with the Clonsutton handler training the first, second and third horses home in the 1.05 Beginners Chase.
It was all about Paul Townend, and his 2/5 mount Kemboy. The strongly fancied French bred 6-year-old looked home and hosed as he closed in on the final fence of the 2 mile 5 furlong trip in the Meath racecourse.
Mullins' charge took over the lead three flights out, and quickened away from his rivals impressively in the soft ground. The only worry was his jumping, with the horse veering to the right hand side of every fence that faced him.
Those worries came to a head at the final obstacle, where Townends' mount again approached the fence on his right. The problem this time was that the horse barely lifted his legs off the ground to clear the flight.
https://twitter.com/StuartRileyRP/status/957254265516544000
He crashed into the birch, causing Townend to lose the grip of his reigns from both of his hands. With only his feet balancing him, the Cork jockey somehow regained his grip and his composure.
Calling a cab is when a jockey loses his reigns from one of his hands - Calling two is when they're in no man's land like Townend was.
The horse stayed on well on the run-in, and took this contest comfortably with 6 lengths to spare.
The second and third horses were also French bred, with David Mullins mount C'est Jersey, and Robbie Power's Cap D'Aubois filling the places.
https://twitter.com/Fairyhouse/status/957241009657835521
He earned that one.
Meanwhile, across the water, Triumph Hurdle favourite Apples Shakira landed the spoils in his outing in Cheltenham, though he was made work hard and won't have convinced many punters to side with him at the short odds he's currently at.
Definitely Red romped up in the Cotswold Chase, showing plenty of battle and class to see off rival Bristol De Mai. He'll be one to watch for the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
https://twitter.com/CheltenhamRaces/status/957262059938365443
