Nichols Canyon and Ruby Walsh© Photo Healy Racing
Willie Mullins continues to steamroll his rivals at this year's Punchestown Festival and his Nichols Canyon s win in the Tattersalls Ireland Champion Novice Hurdle today improved the Champion Trainer's win-rate of the Grade 1 races to 80% this week.
Ridden by Mullins' stable jockey Ruby Walsh (earlier successful on Faugheen , 4/5 favourite Nichols Canyon made all for a ready success over Alpha Des Obeaux marking Mullins' 13th winner at the Festival and his eighth win of the 10 top level races.
Mullins, who earlier indicated his intention to send more of his horses to Britain next season, stated "he's run seven times this season and has been more impressive each time although he was very impressive the last day. He's won four Grade 1s and I don't know if a novice has won four Grade 1s in a while - it's a fair feat."
He added "to do what he did there puts him in the Champion Hurdle picture.
"He was bought as a Flat/Hurdle horse and wouldn't have the frame of a chaser and will never jump a fence - the size of him I wouldn't fancy sitting on him running down to a fence!
When asked about tackling Faugheen, Mullins said "he has 20lb to improve but he is a novice" and regarding the possibility of running in the World Hurdle, said "he's very free and I couldn't see him winning a stayers (World Hurdle) doing what he did there. At the moment we'll go down the two mile route."
By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson
