Total Recall and Bryan Cooper clear the last quicker than Oscar Knight© Photo Healy Racing
The Sandra Hughes trained Total Recall overturned a Willie Mullins odds-on shot when landing the Michael Fitzpatrick Memorial Maiden Hurdle at Punchestown today, scoring under Bryan Cooper.
Mullins' Open Eagle went to post the 8/13 favourite to follow up his November Handicap win at Doncaster when trained in England previously. However the gelding failed to quicken in the home straight behind all-the-way winner Total Recall, which comfortably held Oscar Knight once that rival blundered at the final flight.
Afterwards Hughes, whose late father Dessie Hughes trained Schindlers Hunt to win two Grade 1s for the same winning Slaneyville Syndicate, stated "that was a good performance as they went a hell of a gallop and he quickened up after the last. He's very tough and needs a good gallop, so Bryan went on. We bought him after he won his point-to-point and he stays forever.
"He doesn't mind that ground and will have no problem stepping up in trip. We'll see how he is after that and then make a plan."
By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson
