Diakali and Paul Townend © Photo Healy Racing
The Willie Mullins trained Diakali put himself firmly in the Triumph Hurdle picture with a devastating win in the four runner (Grade 3) Visit punchestown.com For All Our Offers Juvenile Hurdle at Punchestown today.
Ridden by Paul Townend the son of Sinndar made all and while he raced quite free at a strong gallop in the early stages, had no difficulty shaking off his only real danger, Leopardstown Christmas winner Flaxen Flare from the second last flight. The winner kept up his relentless gallop to record a 28 lengths win.
Mullins himself was impressed by the win and later said “that looked very good and it was a nice progression from his Gowran run. He can jump, gallop and stay and I don't think you need much more!
“I don't know if he'll have another run before Cheltenham but he's on the short-list. He missed one or two hurdles but I think it was because Paul was trying to settle him - he might prefer going on a bit faster.
“It's hard for a four year old on only his second hurdle start to go out in front on a big open track with no rail but we decided to make the running because there didn't appear to be a lot of pace. Paul said he picked it up after two out and came back on the bridle. He's very keen, which was a feature of his flat runs, and I was hoping hurdling might settle him more, and I think he will settle with more racing.”
The winner, sold for €160,000 at the Arqana Deauville Sale in July 2012, was cut to 12/1 (from 16s) for the Triumph Hurdle by Paddy Power bookmakers and 10/1 (from 20s) with Stan James.
Mullins' Dogora (temperature) was a non-runner in the race.
Quotes from Gary Carson
