Sir Des Champs leads Long Run over the last© Photo Healy Racing
Champion Trainer Willie Mullins bridged an 11 year gap since his last win in the Grade 1 TheTote.com Punchestown Gold Cup when his Sir Des Champs improved one placing on a runner-up effort in last month's Cheltenham Gold Cup to land today's feature event at Punchestown.
Today's renewal looked well above average standard with former Gold Cup winner Long Run making much of the running along with Quito De La Roque
Sir Des Champs (carrying the Gigginstown House Stud colours) tracked the leaders on the inner before improving to lead from three out. The son of Robin Des Champs was ridden clear by Russell on the home turn and while Long Run gave chase, he failed by three parts of a length to reel back in the winner on the run-in. Aintree winner First Lieutenant stayed on for a solid effort in third, half a length further back.
Florida Pearl had given Mullins his previous winner of the race in 2002 and the trainer today stated “I thought he (Sir Des Champs) looked a bit big in himself in the parade ring today but he has now won the Hennessy and this race so he has won two of the top chases in Ireland.
“It was a decisive move by Davy (Russell) when he went on – Davy felt that his jumping kept him in the race although the one in front (Long Run) was jumping out a bit to the left and was probably taking them a bit across with him.”
“We'll be back for Cheltenham again next year and hopefully the ground is a bit better then.
Regarding the performance of runner-up Long Run, his trainer Nicky Henderson later stated “he has run a tremendous race and it's rock solid Gold Cup form. He has never put in a bad round in his life and he enjoys being up there and will keep fighting for you.”
Long Run's rider Sam Waley-Cohen was also responsible for a minor magic act in the race when losing his whip briefly after jumping the second last fence. The whip floated high in thin air momentarily before the amateur rider somehow plucking it into his hand from behind his back to continue riding as though nothing had happened.
Sir Des Champs' win moves Champion Jockey elect Russell eight winners clear of Ruby Walsh (101-93) at the head of the Jockeys' Championship.
Quotes from Alan Magee
