Flame Bearer and Sean O'Keeffe stayed on best to land the Grade 1 Gold Cup at Fairyhouse © Photo Healy Racing
On an afternoon when trainer Willie Mullins recorded an incredible 8-timer across two cards, Flame Bearer was the first home of six finishers all trained by Mullins in the Grade 1 WillowWarm Gold Cup Chase at Fairyhouse.
While much of the gloss was taken off this contest following the fatal fall of favourite Mighty Potter seven from home, the race developed into a real battle between the Mullins pair Flame Bearer and Sir Gerhard from the second last.
The eventual winner led at that point and found enough stamina reserves to hold on under jockey Sean O'Keeffe to give Mullins an eighth winner on the afternoon.
“He's a decent horse but he probably wouldn't have been my first choice,” said David Casey.
“I thought what he did in Thurles the last day was very good. He bucked out, jumped well, went a gallop and kept at it.
“If you have those novices jumping well in front it's a huge help. That's the way to ride him.
“Sean went at it, went a good gallop and he jumped great. He got into a lovely rhythm and he did it well.”
On his improved jumping he added:- “Maybe it's just letting him at it in front and the horse is learning himself and improving with the experience.”
When it was put to him that he could be a Ryanair horse for next year he said:- “Hopefully, why not, we'll aim for the stars. That's the route you'd have to be looking anyway.”
On Appreciate It Casey added: “Paul said he might have been a little bit flat after Cheltenham. He nearly got brought down as well but he said that didn't make a lot of difference.”
Paddy Powers went 25/1 about Flame Bearer for the 2024 Ryanair Chase
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
