Boylesports Tied Cottage Chase
Grade 2, Punchestown 15:00 €42,500 added, 4yo plus, 2m, Class 1
Sunday 31st January 2016

1 Felix Yonger EvsF
2 Flemenstar 3/1
3 Mozoltov 3/1
6 ran Distances: 1¾l, 2½l, 1½l
TIME 4m 12.00s (slow by 14.00s)

Felix Yonger denied Flemenstar in a thrilling renewal of the BoyleSports Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown.

Felix Yonger
© Racehorse Photos

Sent off the even-money favourite, the Willie Mullins-trained winner was content to race in behind what looked a generous pace set by stablemate Twinlight, who had Flemenstar and Days Hotel in close attendance through the early stages.

Flemenstar, who returned to winning ways when taking full advantage of Un De Sceaux's Leopardstown fall at Christmas, jumped with his trademark panache when taking over at the head of affairs, and rider Andrew Lynch kicked for home off the final bend.

But Ruby Walsh had the move covered, with enough in the tank to prove the stronger by a length and three-quarters, although Flemenstar stuck to his guns admirably and was far from disgraced.

Flemenstar
© Caroline Norris

Walsh said: "He surprised me with the turn of foot he showed going to the last to go by Flemenstar, it was a good performance.

"I thought it rode a good race. I'd say the Champion Chase would be the place to go, he is a Grade One winner over two miles so it would look the obvious the thing to do."

Mullins said: "Ruby said he's still improving, and I'd imagine he'll take up his entry in the Champion Chase.

"The other option is to go for the race in Japan that Blackstairmountain won, but I'll have to talk with Graham Wylie. It's very expensive to run in, but there is big prize-money.

"We always thought he was better on better ground, but he seems to be handling this ground. If he went to Japan that would rule out Cheltenham."

MansionBet and Boylesports both went 14-1 from 20-1 for the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Boylesports Free Wifi Tied Cottage Chase
Grade 2, €42,500 added, 5yo plus, 2m, Class 1
6 ran
Going: Soft to Heavy

Pos	D	Horse SP	Jockey Weight	Trainer	Age
1st		Felix Yonger (IRE) Evsf	R Walsh 11-12	W P Mullins	10
2nd	1¾	Flemenstar (IRE) 3/1	A E Lynch 11-12	Anthony Curran	11
3rd	2½	Mozoltov 3/1	B J Cooper 11-4	W P Mullins	10
4th	1½	Days Hotel (IRE) 14/1	D N Russell 11-4	H de Bromhead	11
5th	12	Twinlight (FR) 14/1	P Townend 11-12	W P Mullins	9
6th	19	Draycott Place (IRE) 100/1	D E Mullins 11-4	J P Ryan	7