Quel Esprit puts in a super jump over the last in the Hennessy© Photo Healy Racing
Willie Mullins recorded his eighth success in the Hennessy Gold Cup as his Quel Esprit landed the odds under Ruby Walsh in the feature at Leopardstown this afternoon.
The French bred son of Saint Des Saints had a disastrous debut season over jumps, where after winning his Novice Chase at Limerick, he fell on his next two outings at Leopardstown and Cheltenham before being brought down at Punchestown in May.
Having won with ease on his two starts this season at Naas and Thurles the grey gelding was well fancied to deliver on the big stage today and he duly obliged.
After racing prominently early on he took up the lead at the fourth and was never headed from there asserting before the last, which he jumped well, staying on best to beat Roberto Goldback by two lengths.
The runner-up was returned at 14/1 while Treacle put in a career best performance to finish third at 33/1, five and a half lengths back.
The Dessie Hughes trained Magnanimity crumbled on landed at the fourth last and lost any chance he had as a result.
Winning trainer Willie Mullins said afterwards: "This has been a lucky race for me. That's Ruby’s first Hennessy for me.
"He gallops and jumps all day. Things fell apart for him last year and he disappointed and surprised us when he fell because he is a good jumper.
"He had a wind op in the off season and that might have had an impact on his jumping. He has also matured and is much stronger.
"The Gold Cup is next up for him but I will have a few drinks tonight and talk to his owners. Today was his day and we won’t worry about the next day.
"Ruby gave him a brave ride and wasn’t afraid to let him go on in front. He let the horse do the talking and jumped fantastic. When Ruby ask him for jumps three or four times he delivered where as last year he wasn't coming up.
"His jumping won the race for him today."
Winning rider Ruby Walsh added: "He travelled and jumped really well. Puppy (Robbie Power aboard Bostons Angel) was intent on making it a stamina test as his fella stays all day.
"He gave a big jump at the last which helped him. He is a hell of a horse but being honest I wouldn't be getting off Kauto Star for him."
