Gala Marceau turns over Lossiemouth in dramatic juvenile

The fly on the Leopardstown weighroom wall would have had plenty to report after Gala Marceau s success in the Donohue Marquees Spring Juvenile Hurdle.

The 9/2 second favourite tracked the leaders, led two out and stayed on well under Danny Mullins to hold 1/3 favourite Lossiemouth who met all sorts of trouble in running.

Having raced just behind the leaders on the inside, the hitherto unbeaten market leader got stuck behind retreating stable and owner companion Jourdefete after that one blundered three out and found herself knocked back towards the rear of the field.

She lost a lot of momemtum and then had to come around the field after the second-last to try and get back into contention.

Being such a talented filly, one thought she might still be able to somehow retrieve the situation as she moved into second on the run to the last, but Gala Marceau jumped it slickly and kept going well to score by two and a half lengths. Tekao one of six in the race for Willie Mullins, was a further ten lengths away in third.

Having won both outings over hurdles in France last spring, Gala Marceau (7/2 from 7s for the Triumph with Paddy Power) had finished a seven and a half length second to Lossiemouth here at Christmas when in receipt of 3lb.

Lossiemouth's exasperated owner Rich Ricci said: “She was hampered by my other horse! Take nothing away from the winner, but I’m disappointed and Cheltenham will be a different story.

“She lost a furlong when the race was really starting. It’s disappointing and we’re still bereft of a Grade One this season — hopefully we’ll get one tomorrow.

“I think Paul was trying to let the other horse know he was there, the young fella (Jack Foley) on the other horse just got his wires crossed, these things happen, it is what is and fair play to the winner.”

Winning trainer Willie Mullins reflected: "Paul got into a lot of trouble but the winner is a good filly and she's improving all the time. Paul thinks he was a little unlucky.”

Rich Ricci's other runner Jourdefete caused the issue coming back and Mullins added:- “That was the disappointing part about it. Paul said to me he got done three times.

“I just hope it doesn't leave its mark that she had such a hard run from the third last home. She put in a huge effort for a juvenile filly and that might just leave a mark.

“That's what I'm really worried about and I would have been happier if Paul had maybe just been 'hands and heels'. The writing was on the wall, so what was the point in hitting her.

“He has to have a go to try and win but to me unless Danny's made a mistake at the last he wasn't going to get to that one.”

On the winner he said:- “We thought she had every chance coming here today if anything happened to the other one. Lossiemouth had been working well at home but Gala Marceau probably had more scope for improvement.

“She jumps very well and she's a good filly.”

Winning rider Danny Mullins said: "She was keen early but the extra hurdle in today was a big help. It allowed us to switch off more than we were at Christmas but she was still a fraction keen which is always a worry when you come to the business end of a race.

"She found the improvement we hoped she would from Christmas and got the job done.

"I was aware that Paul had got shuffled back and that may have flipped the coin in placings today but we'll take winners, it's a Grade One and that's what it's all about."

Quotes from Gary Carson