Bellshill leads home 1-2 for Mullins in Gold Cup

On a great day for Willie Mullins in his bid to retain the National Hunt trainers’ championship, Bellshill led home a 1-2 for the master of Closutton in one of the highlights of the week — the Coral Punchestown Gold Cup.

The King’s Theatre gelding ran a cracker last time under a big weight when fifth (demoted from fourth) in the Boylesports Irish Grand National and was again partnered by David Mullins.

Stable-companion Djakadam led the 12-runner field in this extended three miles test, and was challenged by Bellshill early in the straight.

David Mullins sent the 4/1 chance to the front before the last, and he needed to get serious on the run-in as his mount idled in front.

The winning margin was a diminishing three quarters of a length at the line, with 7/2 favourite Road To Respect finding no extra from the before the last finishing eight lengths back in third.

Bellshill wins the Coral Punchestown Gold Cup! @punchestownrace pic.twitter.com/996bXmEb5h

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) April 25, 2018

Willie Mullins said, “I think Bellshill just idled a bit in front but David gave him a terrific ride. I’m delighted for Graham Wylie as it hasn’t been that good a season for him.

“To come back from Fairyhouse where he was very unlucky and win here like that, it just shows what he had left in the tank when he made the mistake at the last in Fairyhouse. He lost concentration just like he did today when he was in front. He has a huge engine.

“I was amazed he was disqualified (at Fairyhouse), and couldn’t get over that it wasn’t overturned yesterday. I’ve never seen a horse make a mistake at a fence and be disqualified when it was no fault of the rider. There are countless examples of it in Irish racing, and I think the decision opens a huge can of worms.

“He could be a Gold Cup horse and the performance he put up in Fairyhouse was a Gold Cup performance in my book, and today has just confirmed that.

“Patrick got a great tune out of Djakadam, and he liked the ground and probably being back at Punchestown as well.”

David Mullins said, “I was getting worried after the first day but as we've seen things can turn around quickly. It's great to get one here this week.

“I was confident going down to the last I was going to win ten lengths and if I needed him he'd pick up for me, I had that much horse. As you see there he's just so idle when he hits the front. It was a bit of a sickener to lose the Irish National but we've got something back here and it's great to do it in Punchestown, the week that's in it for Willie. It's a bit special.

“We went a good gallop and that's his first time in a proper Gold Cup, Grade 1 over three miles against decent horses. He'd never really done that. He'd bossed the handicappers and run well in novice races but he stepped up to the plate there and I think you're going to find plenty of improvement next year.

“He's got plenty of ability, is so good to jump, has the right attitude but just doesn't do enough when he hits the front. I'm sure as he matures that'll come.

“They (Andrea & Graham Wylie) gave me my first Grade 1 winner on Nichols Canyon. I've had plenty of good success for them and they're great supporters of the yard. To get the opportunity for Willie when all the pressure is on him this week for the championship is pretty special.”

(GC & AM)