Paddy Power Mares' Chase: Colreevy triumphs as Mullins dominates inaugural running

Colreevy outpointed stablemate Elimay as the two Willie Mullins runners served up a pulsating finish to the inaugural running of the Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase at Cheltenham.

The two market leaders had the race to themselves at the business end and there was nothing between them over the final obstacles.

Colreevy (9-4) under by Paul Townend gained the upper hand racing on the run to the line to hold the 6-5 favourite by half a length. Shattered Love was two and three-quarter lengths away back in third.

They went a strong gallop from the start with Magic Of Light and Really Super making the early running, but once the tempo increased the race belonged to the Mullins pair who served up a treat in the Grade Two heat over an extended two and a half miles.

Townend finished third aboard hat-trick seeking Al Boum Photo in the preceding WellChild Cheltenham Gold Cup and told Racing TV's Lydia Hislop: "We were narrowly beaten in the one before so I didn't want to let that one slip away as well!"

"She is very genuine mare," the jockey added. "It takes two to make a proper race of it and the two of them are very game and genuine mares.

"She doesn't ride like a novice and she doesn't look like a mare either if you just glance at her. She's a big lady and she has the heart to go with it.

“I was disappointed with the way she ran here last year in the mares’ hurdle, but since she jumped a fence it’s brought about improvement on her. I’d imagine the drop of rain definitely helped her."

Mullins said: "A good few of mine disappointed today and we were just getting a little worried, so at least these two showed their form. Colreevy was very brave, they are two brave mares to do what they did. Really delighted for the Flynns, they’ve had winners here before.

“Poor JP (McManus, owner) - it’s just not his day, he was telling me before the race, and unfortunately not again (in that race either). They ran their hearts out. Two really good jumpers and both jockeys wanted to make use of that and they did.”

Mark Walsh said on runner-up Elimay, said: "She wears her heart on her sleeve and ran a great race, but we were just beaten by a better mare."

Lisa O’Neill, representing trainer Denise Foster, said of third-placed Shattered Love: “She ran a cracker. I think she probably would have appreciated a bit more of an ease in the ground, but she would have had to turn the tables on Elimay today (after finishing second to her at Naas last month). We’re happy with her run and we’ll think about Aintree or Punchestown for her.”