Energumene and Paul Townend clear the last © Photo Healy Racing
The skill Willie Mullins displays at keeping the lengthy range of names on his ownership list happy, is well renowned at this stage. There was a fourth winning set of colours carried home by a Closutton runner at Gowran today as Energumene impressed in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase.
Paul Townend shared in the four-timer and here he donned the Brighton and Hove Albion coloured silks of that club’s chairman and Energumene’s owner, Tony Bloom.
By the same sire as the great Un De Sceaux, Denham Red, the winner here, a strongly-backed 8/13 shot, in the main gave an exhibition of fencing on his chase debut.
He got a couple wrong but never looked like coming down and when the champion jockey removed down his goggles on pulling up his smile said it all.
It’s been a very enjoyable session for the Corkman all told after triumphing on Youmdor (McNeill Family), Ferny Hollow (Cheveley Park Stud) and Annamix (Susannah and Rich Ricci) as well.
Energumene made all to beat Fort Worth Texas by eighteen lengths.
“He loves chasing and Paul was very taken with him which has to be a good sign. We’ll probably find something for him around Christmas,” said Mullins.
“Paul said he wouldn’t mind going back in trip but he could easily go up in trip as he has a nice relaxed way of galloping.”
In ante-post news Paddy Power & Betfair go 12/1 (from 33/1) about Energumene for the Marsh Novices Chase.
Paddy Power are 16/1 (from 40/1) on the winner for the Arkle Chase.
D.J. Mullins, rider of Antey (GER) trained by W.P. Mullins, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount got very tired.
(AM & EM)
