Chacun Pour Soi and Paul Townend lead over the last from Notebook (maroon and white)© Photo Healy Racing
Turned over at odds-on in last year’s Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase (Grade 1), the 4/7 favourite Chacun Pour Soi made no mistake this time around with an emphatic victory.
It was a a good sight down the back straight as the favourite and Notebook went at it upsides each other in front. Paul Townend’s mount was particularly good over the last two fences that were taken (fence in the home straight omitted) and turned for home in front and travelling by far the best.
He was pushed out by Townend to win by six and a half lengths from Notebook (7/2) with Put The Kettle On (13/2) an honourable third a further length and three quarters away.
Winning for the third time at Grade 1 level, Chacun Pour Soi was cut from 11/4 to 7/4 for the Queen Mother Champion Chase, and later in the afternoon shortened further to 11/8 after Altior's defeat at Kempton.
Winning trainer Willie Mullins said: “I was really pleased with that. He showed a great spring in his jumping and really attacked his fences. After the last fence he flew around the final bend and was then idling a bit.
“His ears were pricked and I’d say he’d plenty in reserve.
“He’ll probably come back here for the Dublin Racing Festival.
“I hadn’t intended going to Mallow with him until I saw what we had left in the John Durkan. It was a good opportunity to go to Mallow and it worked out perfectly and left him just right for today.
“It was frustrating what happened to him at Cheltenham but these things happen with horses every day.
“We had to pull Klassical Dream out of the beginners chase today. I’m hoping it’s just a muscle problem and nothing too serious.”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
