Kappa Jy Pyke makes most of Il Etait Temps absence at Clonmel

Watch the video to find out what Paul Townend made of Kappa Jy Pyke's win

Kappa Jy Pyke made all the running to win the Grade Two Clonmel Oil Chase. 

The race was dealt a blow earlier in the day when the reigning Champion Chaser Il Etait Temps was withdrawn by his trainer Willie Mullins, but that will be no concern to the owners of his stablemate Kappa Jy Pyke. 

Ridden by Paul Townend rather than Danny Mullins, who in turn switched to main market rival Blaze The Way, the six-year-old was able to dictate the tempo throughout. 

Herja moved into second before the turn for home but neither he nor Blaze The Way looked capable of getting the 2-9 favourite off the bridle. 

Approaching the second last, a good jump by the leader took him two lengths clear of Herja, and he only had to be pushed out by Townend following a good jump at the last to score by a very easy one and three quarter lengths. 

Assistant trainer Patrick Mullins said: “He is a top-class horse who beat Salvator Mundi last year and also finished second in the WillowWarm Gold Cup.

“The Clonmel Oil is a prestigious race and worth a lot of money so it is brilliant for the owners Michele and Richard (Varmen), who are from England and this is their only horse.

“They hacked around, sprinted up the straight and any mistake at the last two fences would have meant ‘curtains’, but he was brave and jumped very well. He didn’t get a hard race so it is job done.

“He can be versatile trip-wise going forward.”

Of Il Etait Temps, Mullins added: “He came down today but Paul walked around and felt it was better to be safe than sorry. Having two top-class horses taking each other on would mean that they would be racing harder, so there is that side to it as well.

“Il Etait Temps could go to Sandown (Tingle Creek) now but that could also prove to be too quick, so we’ll wait and see. The Hilly Way Chase is also there but Majborough could run there, so it will be a Willie decision.”

Earlier on the card, there was another notable Closutton absentee as Dinoblue was scratched from the listed T.A. Morris Memorial Irish EBF Mares Chase.

In a driving finish, it was the Mag Mullins-trained and Danny Mullins-ridden A Snow White Park (8-11 favourite) who was able to complete a hat-trick thanks to a fine leap at the last fence as her three rivals were hot on her heels.

“She is a dinger over a fence and while she isn’t a giant, she is plenty big enough and is plucky out. I’m delighted with her,” said Mags Mullins.

“Everyone said that we were home and hosed but it’s not as easy as that as you still have to go out and do it. Danny was delighted with her and it is great for her owners Molly and Paul Willis, and Jimmy Fyffe, who is new.

“She doesn’t want deep, winter ground and we’ll judge things as we go. She is declared over hurdles on Saturday, so we’ll see.”

Regarding Dinoblue’s absence, Patrick Mullins said: “JP (McManus, owner) felt we didn’t need to take a chance in running Dinoblue and obviously all roads lead to Cheltenham with her, so there is no major rush to get her out.

“It has been an abnormally dry summer and autumn and as my grandfather (Paddy Mullins) would say, ‘you can wait a month for ground or a year for a leg.’ At this stage of the season, there isn’t any point in taking a chance so if you’re in doubt, pull out.”

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