Coolmore Kew Gardens Irish EBF Mares Champion Hurdle
 QuinnBet
Grade 1, Punchestown 15:20
 €120,000 added,
4yo plus,
2m 2f, Class 1   
Saturday 1st May 2021

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1 Stormy Ireland 7/2
2 Minella Melody 12/1
3 Concertista 8/11F
8 ran NR: Global Equity Distances: 7l, 2½l, 8l
Time: 4m 50.40s (slow by 10.40s)

Stormy Ireland galloped her rivals into submission – chalking up Mullins’ 17th winner of the week.

Danny Mullins was eager to seize the initiative on the seven-year-old, who was one of four contenders for Willie Mullins.

Stormy Ireland bowled along in front and was still full of running with two to jump as 8-11 favourite and stablemate Concertista tried to reel in her handy advantage along with Minella Melody.

However, Mullins had plenty up his sleeve and the mare, who only recently return to Mullins’ care following an unsuccessful spell with Paul Nicholls, cruised home by to take a first top-level victory.

The Closutton handler admitted his surprise at Stormy Ireland’s progress following a victory at Fairyhouse last month and could now look at Flat targets with his charge.

He said: “She appears to have improved from Fairyhouse. It’s a great day for Danny, a nice double for him.

“That mare surprised me, how much she has come on from that.

“We’ll keep her in training, I don’t think she’s going to go to the breeding shed this year as she looks to have plenty left in the tank.

“I’m having second thoughts now about going chasing with her and maybe we could go back to the Flat with her.

“She’s by Motivator and it might be a safer career option than going chasing. I don’t think she’s going to improver her pedigree by getting black type over fences, she has enough over hurdles.

“If she could do something on the Flat, that would be better for her.”

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Mares Champion Hurdle (Grade 1)
€120,000 added, 4yo plus, 2m 2f, Class 1
8 ran
Going: Good to Yielding

POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1      Stormy Ireland 7 11-9 W P Mullins Danny Mullins 7/2
2 7 Minella Melody 7 11-9 Henry De Bromhead Rachael Blackmore 12/1
3 2½  Concertista 7 11-9 W P Mullins Mr P W Mullins 8/11F
4 8 Politesse 7 11-9 Mrs Lorna Fowler Conor Orr 80/1
5 1½ My Sister Sarah 7 11-9 W P Mullins B J Cooper 14/1
6 20 Laurina 8 11-9 C W J Farrell Sean Flanagan 66/1
7 hd Burning Victory 5 11-9 W P Mullins Brian Hayes 14/1
FELL Skyace 6 11-9 John Joseph Hanlon Jody McGarvey 8/1
NR Global Equity 6 11-9 Joseph O'Brien NON RUNNER

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PAST RESULTS
Year Horse Age/Wt Owner Trainer Jockey SP
2020 Abandoned - Covid-19
2019 Benie Des Dieux 8-11-07 Mrs S Ricci Willie Mullins P Townend 2/5F
2018 Benie Des Dieux 7-11-07 Mrs S Ricci Willie Mullins P Townend 3/1
2017 Apple’s Jade 5-11-07 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Bryan Cooper Evs Fav
2016 Whiteout 5-11-07 Mrs David Lawlor Willie Mullins Paul Townend 16/1
2015 Annie Power 7-11-07 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins Ruby Walsh 2/9 Fav
2014 Annie Power 6-11-07 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins Ruby Walsh 1/6 Fav
2013 Glens Melody 5-11-07 Ms Fiona McStay Willie Mullins Paul Townend 7/2

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