Ballycasey continues Normans Grove domination for Willie Mullins

Willie Mullins continued his excellent record in the Normans Grove Chase as Ballycasey made all in the Grade Two contest at Fairyhouse.The County Carlow handler had won five of the previous seven renewals of the race and his charge was sent straight to the front by Ruby Walsh, with only Flemenstar for company for much of the way.Ball D'Arc was sent off 6-5 favourite in his bid for a four-timer and Gordon Elliott's six-year-old laid down a challenge after the last, but the 15-8 winner had enough in hand to hold his younger rival by half a length.Mullins said: "He's found his mojo again. We were trying to make a stayer out of him but he obviously enjoys going a shorter trip and using his jumping. He's got his confidence back."I wish the Topham was another fortnight or three weeks away. It was either there or here, and we chose here. Hopefully he will run in Punchestown and he will probably have to go for the Grade One (Boylesports Champion Chase)."He was third in the Galway Plate last year, and that's a possible target again this year. He might not be as well in this year as last year!"