Teahupoo pips Ballyburn to seal Hatton’s Grace hat-trick

Teahupoo denied the late charge of Ballyburn to win his third BAR 1 Betting Hatton’s Grace Hurdle by the narrowest of margins.

Gordon Elliott’s Teahupoo claimed this Grade One prize in 2022 and 2023 and while Lossiemouth denied him the hat-trick last season, 12 months on he had another chance to join Limestone Lad, Solerina, Apple’s Jade and Honeysuckle as a three-time winner under Jack Kennedy.

It was far from straightforward for the even-money favourite, who had to work hard to get on terms with his stablemate Casheldale Lad in the home straight, but appeared to have his measure when the latter crashed out at the final flight.

The race was far from over, however, with the Willie Mullins-trained Ballyburn – reverting to hurdles following a disappointing end to his novice chasing campaign last term – powering home after a patient ride from Paul Townend to set up a grandstand finish.

Ballyburn was making up ground hand over fist as the line loomed, but the post came just in time for Teahupoo to cling on by a nose.

Elliott and Kennedy were completing a sparkling four-timer on the card.

“Jordan (Gainford, riding Casheldale Lad) did a wonderful job in front, he got the fractions just right. Jack said he couldn’t have gone another gear faster,” said Elliott.

“When you take a horse out of their comfort zone early in those type of races it’s very hard and we knew we were rolling the dice coming back to two and a half miles, but it just looked like the perfect starting point for him.

“He’s not a two-and-a-half miler, he’s a three-mile horse – he’s slow and he’s not getting any younger, but he’s got the heart of a lion.

“He’s a warrior of a horse and we’re so lucky to have him. ”

Paddy Power cut Teahupoo’s odds to win a second Stayers’ Hurdle to 5-2 from 100-30, but make Ballyburn their 2-1 favourite from 7-2.

When asked if the winner would follow the same route as he has in each of the past two seasons by not running again between the Hatton’s Grace and the Cheltenham Festival in March, Elliott added: “Probably, but that’s not concrete. You mind a horse for a race all year and then get a stone bruise, anything can happen.

“We’re not saying he’s going to run again but we’re not ruling it out either. Leopardstown (at Christmas) would have to come up very soft for him to run there, we’ll see.”

Elliott is keen to keep all options open for Romeo Coolio following his earlier demolition job in the BAR 1 Betting Drinmore Novice Chase..

A Grade One winner over hurdles at last season’s Dublin Racing Festival, the six-year-old was also placed in top-level events at Cheltenham and Aintree in the spring and made the perfect start to his chasing career at Down Royal in late October.

Running over the same two-and-a-half-mile trip, Romeo Coolio was an 8-15 favourite to bag another Grade One win on his second start over fences and odds-on backers will have had few concerns, with  Kennedy cutting a confident figure in the saddle throughout.

His mount travelled and jumped fluently throughout on his way to an emphatic eight-length victory over Gold Dancer.

Elliott said: “That was brilliant, he was good. We always knew chasing was going to be his game and we’re absolutely thrilled.”

With no two-and-a-half mile Grade One option at the Cheltenham Festival these days for novice chasers, Romeo Coolio will either have to step up in trip for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase over three miles or revert to two for the Arkle, for which he was cut to 5-1 from 8-1 by Coral.

“Obviously with Cheltenham you have two or three (miles). We could also come back here at Easter or go to Aintree, there are loads of options,” Elliott added.

“The one thing Jack did say is that he wouldn’t be afraid to bring him back to two off a real fast pace, the way he jumps.

“There is no decision that needs to be made today, we’re going to enjoy it and see what happens.”

When asked if Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting was a potential next port of call, the trainer said: “Everywhere is open now, we could even end up in Kempton. We’ll keep all options open. We’ll dream about everything.

“I’ll never forget when the owners came to me at the start, the one thing they said was that they’d love to have a horse for the Champion Chase. Whether he’s quick enough for that, I don’t know, but we’ll dream in every direction and see what happens.”

Hot favourite Koktail Brut got the better of a nip-and-tuck battle with Blake to win a thrilling renewal of the BAR 1 Betting Royal Bond Novice Hurdle.

Having kept good company in bumpers last season, Koktail Brut made a successful start to his career over hurdles at Punchestown two and a half weeks ago and he was an 8-13 favourite to follow up in a Grade Two that has been won by the likes of Istabraq (1996), Moscow Flyer (1999), Hurricane Fly (2008) and Envoi Allen (2019).

Sent straight to the lead by Kennedy, Elliott’s Koktail Brut had most of his rival in trouble from the home turn, but the Noel Meade-trained Blake stuck with him and looked to be travelling the better of the pair between the final two flights.

The pair settled down to fight it out after the last and there was little to choose between them passing the post, but the judge confirmed Koktail Brut the winner by a head, with Gavin Cromwell’ The Passing Wife making late gains to finish third.

“That was great. He probably did everything wrong, Jack said he was keen enough in front,” said Elliott.

“We weren’t sure if there was going to be pace in the race so we said we’d just keep it simple and go on, but Jack said he was keen enough.

“He was very gutsy to come back. I’d say looking at that he probably wants a bit further.

“I’ll talk to Michael and Eddie (O’Leary) and see. We won’t say he definitely wants two-and-a-half but he could be one to maybe keep and go to Naas with.

“The only problem is that we have so many for it so we’ll have to see. The horses are running great so we can’t complain.”

Mange Tout is clear favourite for the JCB Triumph Hurdle with some bookmakers after initiating a Fairyhouse four-timer for trainer Gordon Elliott.

A winner on her only start in France, the three-year-old made a successful Irish debut at Down Royal and stepped up to Grade Three level for the BAR 1 Betting Juvenile Hurdle in County Meath.

With Willie Mullins-trained French recruit Narciso Has narrowly preferred in the market as the 5-4 market leader, Mange Tout was an 11-8 shot in the hands of Jack Kennedy and she took over on the approach to the final flight before pulling two and three-quarter lengths clear of Narciso Has on the run-in.

Paddy Power make Mange Tout their 8-1 favourite from 16-1 for the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

“She did everything wrong the last day so we said we’d drop her in, get her settled today, and see how we go. It was a good performance and I’m absolutely delighted,” said Elliott.

“I said to Jack that she didn’t jump great but he said when he pulled her out and gave her a bit of room she was very good over the last two. That’s what you want. She settled better today.

“She put lengths between them very quick from the last to the line and I’d imagine she’ll go to Leopardstown now.

“We’ll dream for another while. I’m sure there are a lot of good ones (juvenile hurdlers) still to come out. I haven’t too many of them, she’s as good as we have at the moment.”

Elliott went on to win he Royal Bond Novice Hurdle with Koktail Brut (8-13 favourite), the Drinmore Novice Chase with Romeo Coolio (8-15 favourite) and the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle with Teahupoo (evens favourite), who was winning the Grade One feature for a record-equalling third time.

“It’s just one of those days, the horses are absolutely flying and we’re absolutely delighted,” the Cullentra House handler added.

“I’m getting the bounce of the ball at the moment and another day it will be someone else. I’ve had plenty of days where I didn’t get the bounce of the ball.

“We’re here in Fairyhouse, one of my local courses. We have a lot of friends and a lot of Meath supporters here on Meath GAA Day. It’s very important and I’m absolutely thrilled.”

Ian Donoghue’s Vaureal justified 7-2 favouritism in the BAR 1 Betting Ladies Handicap Chase under Caragh Monaghan, while Robert Tyner and Mark Walsh teamed up to claim top honours in the the BAR 1 Betting Porterstown Handicap Chase with the JP McManus-owned 3-1 market leader Better Times Ahead.

Willie Mullins and Paul Townend landed the BAR 1 Casino Handicap Hurdle with Zillow (7-2 joint-favourite), who was carrying the H O S Syndicate colours of his Breeders’ Cup Turf-winning stablemate Ethical Diamond.

On the run the winning owners are having, Mullins said: “From Del Mar down to Melbourne (Absurde eighth in Melbourne Cup) and back up to Fairyhouse, it’s fantastic.

“A lot of the grandchildren are here today and it’s a tremendous win. It’s what racing is about, the social side of racing and all the family are here.”

The Mags Mullins-trained Young Rebel finished with a wet sail to claim a 12-1 victory in the concluding BAR 1 Casino (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race, with 7lb claimer Anna McGuinness doing the steering.