Future looks bright for Kitzbuhel after Gowran Park strike

Kitzbuhel made it two wins from as many starts for Willie Mullins with a determined victory in the Red Mills Trial Hurdle at Gowran Park.

A comfortable winner from the decidedly useful Colonel Mustard on his Irish bow at Punchestown in December, the Joe and Marie Donnelly-owned five-year-old was the 2-7 market leader for Grade Three honours against five rivals.

Sitting in third through the early stages, Paul Townend’s mount moved sweetly and took over heading to two from home, only for stablemate Sir Gerhard and then Break My Soul to swiftly emerge as dangers.

It was the latter who made the favourite work the hardest, but he pinged the last and was always staying on strongly in scoring by two and three-quarter lengths.

“It was a nice performance. I loved the way he jumped, he’ll have no trouble going over fences,” said Mullins.

“I love the way he stayed on. It looked like the race was over after he had taken on Sir Gerhard and then he had to find again to take on Break My Soul.

“It’s the sign of a real good horse that he’s able to pick up a second time, which he did.

“I’m probably looking at Liverpool, more so than Cheltenham with him, with the timing of the race.

“The two and a half miles at Liverpool in the Aintree Hurdle would be a big possibility. That’s what I’m looking at at the moment.

“I think he’d love to step up in trip. I’d have no problem going three miles, but two and a half miles in Aintree might be more his thing at this point in his career.

“We’ll see what he does in his next two runs, but the way he jumped there, he looks like he has real potential as a novice chaser.”

Mullins recorded a big-race double on the day, although it was Classic Getaway who surprised fellow Closutton runner Saint Sam (2-5 favourite) in the Red Mills Chase.

The latter attempted to make all, but was a spent force two out when Danny Mullins and Classic Getaway (9-2) jumped to the front.

Mullins said: “It was a good performance, he has been improving all season.

“Danny was very keen to stress that the three fences in the straight made a big difference to him because his jumping brought him into the race without any effort – and then he had that final kick to go and win the race.

“I’m not sure where we’re going to go with him next. We’ll have a review of where he might go next, no plans yet.

“It was nice for Cheveley Park to have a Red Mills winner.”

Mullins and Townend had earlier got the day off to the perfect start with a straightforward success for Blue Lemons in the Sea Moon & Jukebox Jury At Burgage Stud Maiden Hurdle.

A winner on the Flat and tried in Group Three company when with Richard Hannon, the four-year-old looks a useful recruit to the jumping game, landing odds of 5-6 from Kool One.

“He did a lot right and I think there is plenty of improvement to come from him,” said Townend.

“He took his blow and ran on again. It’s a different discipline to what he’s used to, obviously, but he took to it really well.

“I thought he could be very free coming from a mile, but he did it nicely, took his blow and saw it out well. For his first day, he did a lot right as the trip was an unknown as well.

“I think he’ll be a good, fun dual-purpose horse because with that attitude, I’d say you’ll be able to mix it with him.”