Champ Kiely gives Mullins his sixth winner on New Year's Day Champ Kiely (10/11f) overcame a long absence to make a debut over fences in the Bellshill Beginners Chase at Fairyhouse. The nine-year-old gelding won a Grade 1 over flights at Naas two years ago and then was placed at the top level at Cheltenham and Punchestown in 2023. He was always to the fore with Cleatus Poolaw in this assignment over an extended two-miles-five-furlongs. He wrestled back a narrow lead from that rival three out and Paul Townend exuded confidence on him over the next. The pair began to crank up the pressure on their rivals and asserted at the last. They cleared that and ran on to post an 11-length success over Chigorin (9/1). Mullins also saddled the third home in Chosen Witness (16/1). This was a four-timer for Willie Mullins and Townend at Fairyhouse (Aurora Vega, Sounds Victorius and Allegorie De Vassy), and made it six winners on the day for the Closutton trainer as More Coko and Embassy Gardens also went in at Tramore. Mullins said: “He did everything as it should be done, he galloped and jumped. “Paul was very happy that he’s much more relaxed over fences than he was over hurdles, which will hopefully bring about more improvement in him. “We’ll have to look at the two-mile-five at the Dublin Racing Festival. “He could easily step up in trip, Paul remarked that he was so relaxed which means you could step up. “Chosen Witness ran a cracker and I’m very pleased with him. I’m disappointed for O’Moore Park, he was running a great race and didn’t deserve to fall. He jumped well throughout the race and the last fence just let him down.” Paddy Power cut Champ Kiely from 33/1 to 16/1 for the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at Cheltenham. Additional reporting by Gary Carson
