Brave a special victor for Mullins' in Champion

"I think what happened is called getting run away with in style," said Patrick Mullins after Irish St Leger hero, Wicklow Brave (12/1) with first time blinkers, landed the spoils in the Grade 1 BETDAQ Punchestown Champion Hurdle.

Stable companion Diakali was withdrawn at the start after refusing to line-up whilst this time Labaik did get away with Davy Russell up.

Wicklow Brave put it to his rivals a long way from home, and even though in the words of his rider he was "starting to run on fumes," going to the last, the Beat Hollow gelding stuck it out tenaciously to beat My Tent Or Yours by a length and a half.

Just three and a quarter lengths covered the first five home. Arctic Fire was third, Labaik fourth and Brain Power fifth.

Wicklow Brave wins the @BETDAQ Punchestown Champion Hurdle! pic.twitter.com/0ek4ZeUM3W

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) April 28, 2017

"I'm delighted for Patrick," said Willie Mullins.

"Wicklow Brave has his own way of running. Patrick started off at the back and I think he might have run away with Patrick half way down the hill.

"Rather than fight him I imagine Patrick might have said right lets go.

"He won the Leger from the front and he really got him jumping down the back. He really pinged hurdles and was gaining lengths.

"I thought he was caught maybe turning after the second last but he got a right good jump at the last.

"I could see Patrick eyeing up the last and I think he hit him one taking off and it was sort of all or nothing.

"He just has a tendency to dwell at the start and we thought the blinkers might help. We thought there could be carnage at the start.

"Thankfully the starter withdrew our other horse (Diakali) and things got off then.

"He was bought at the Derby Sale as a store horse so it’s remarkable that he’s won a Group 1 on the flat and a Grade 1 over hurdles. I'm delighted for Nick Peacock who is a good supporter of the stable.

"Our plan was to put him back on the flat and he is in a race at York. We decided that he was needed more here."

When asked about the trainer's title Mullins added: "I was just focusing on Patrick to see if he could win another Grade 1."

Patrick himself said: "I've been rattling the crossbar all week. I've had three seconds and I had a second the week before Punchestown as well.

"To do that is fantastic especially as it helps my father.

"He nearly didn't jump off and then he was jumping so well and travelling so well that I didn't want to disappoint him.

"I just said that I'd take a chance by letting him jump and travel that he'd enjoy himself.

"I knew if he did that that he might have the ability to do what he did.

"He jumped so slickly the whole way. I was able to trust him. I needed to jump it well (the last) because I was just staring to run on fumes.

"It's a magic feeling and I'd just like to thank Nick Peacock (Wicklow Bloodstock, owners) for letting me ride him."

R. Walsh, rider of Vroum Vroum Mag (FR) trained by W.P. Mullins, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount never raised a gallop at any stage of this race.

The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Vroum Vroum Mag (FR), trained by W.P. Mullins, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be lame behind post race.

The Stewards enquired into the actions of G. Elliot, trainer of Labaik (Fr), before a fair start had been affected. G. Elliot admitted that he had followed his horse towards the starting line and tried to encourage him to start by shaking a hand held item. He apologised for his actions and stated that his charge had an amount of ability but had shown tendencies to refuse to race on a number of occasions. Having considered all the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that G. Elliot was in breach of R13 and cautioned him concerning his future conduct in this regard.

The Stewards enquired into the actions at the start of a staff member of W.P. Mullins, trainer, where he was observed trying to encourage Diakali (Fr) to start by continuously waving a lead rein from behind him. Having considered all the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that Mr W.P. Mullins was in breach of R13 and cautioned him concerning his responsibility in this regard.

(AM & EM)