Chart Topper and Patrick Mullins© Photo Healy Racing
Jackie Mullins' Chart Topper (7/4) made an impressive winning jumps debut today, landing Downpatrick's opening A J C Group Maiden Hurdle for the owner-breeder's husband trainer Willie Mullins, and under son Patrick.
The Walk In The Park-gelding had been placed twice from three prior bumper runs and today tracked In The Trenches before going by that hanging leader on the inside before the final flight, eventually finishing powerfully for a 25 lengths win.
Patrick Mullins commented "Keith (Donoghue, on In The Trenches) set a good gallop putting his experience to use but that suited me. He came out of my hands at the first but after that popped away lovely. He's more inclined to pop than have a crack at them.
"I could see Keith's horse jumping and hanging a bit left all the way and once he has hung off the home bend, has given us a great split.
"I think he has plenty of scope to chase; those Walk In The Park's are very natural jumpers and Pink In The Park (Chart Topper's dam) won her beginners' chase so he'll jump a fence no problem. He is very clever rather than brave but there's nothing wrong with that.
"His work at home was very good and we were hugely disappointed until now; we thought he would be winning at the Punchestown Festival but maybe jumping has improved him.
"I'd like to see him go up in trip and think he would probably be fairly versatile regarding ground, although I'm not sure he is a real middle of winter horse.”
Quotes from Michael Graham
