Bordini foils gamble on newcomer

The two market principals drew clear approaching the final furlong of the bumper in Punchestown and it was Bordini who outgunned Falcon Crest

The four-year-old French-bred, representing Willie and Patrick Mullins, made all and found plenty more in the latter stages to draw away by two and three parts of a length. He was the 11/8 favourite.

This was his first run for the Mullins team having been third in his only point-to-point at Maralin in March for Aidan Fitzgerald.

There was a strong word for Falcon Crest prior to racing. From as big as 7/1 his price tumbled to 6/4 on the off. This was his first racecourse outing. Although he looked to hold every chance coming to the final furlong he couldn’t pick up when the winner set sail for home. He came home second, two and three quarter lengths in front of Beau Et Sublime (11/2).

Willie Mullins said: “I’m very happy with that and hopefully he’ll go on from here. He’ll probably go for a winners’ race around Christmas time.

“I think on that performance we will probably keep him to bumpers this season. There were a few well-regarded horses behind. I’ve been very happy with his homework all along.”

This gave Willie Mullins a Punchestown double as Hurricane Fly took the big race.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee