The anticipated Willie Mullins domination of what proved to be a dramatic running of Grade 1 Dr. P.J. Moriarty Novice Chase at Leopardstown today failed to materialise, with victory in the end going to the Jessica Harrington trained Bostons Angel

Mullins was represented by ‘jolly’ Mikael D’Haguenet and second favourite Quel Esprit but the latter fell at the second last fence, hampering his stablemate in the process. Magnanimity and Bostons Angel were then left in front and while Mikael D’Haguenet briefly threatened to close the gap on the leading pair, failed to pick up from the last to finish third.

Victory in the end went to Bostons Angel, under Robert Power, who outbattled Magnanimity on the run-in, by a head.

Afterwards Bostons Angel’s trainer Jessica Harrington stated “he is not the type to win by six lengths as he only does what he has to! I thought today’s distance would be too short but Robert did the right thing by sending him on.”

She added “he has now won two Grade 1s and is entitled to run in the RSA Chase at Cheltenham. He doesn’t mind most grounds and will keep trying up the hill – he does need a good gallop in the race though.”

Thomas Weekes