The Supreme Novices' Hurdle prospect enhanced his Cheltenham case with a neat Grade One victory; trainer Willie Mullins was unwilling to confirm a Cheltenham Festival location for his star novice hurdler
Sunday 6 February 2022 16:39, UK
Sir Gerhard took his unbeaten record over jumps to two as he made all the running to win the Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown.
The Willie Mullins-trained seven-year-old only made his debut over the smaller obstacles on this course over Christmas, but was able to land the odds despite being novicey at times.
Sent off the 8-13 favourite, Sir Gerhard - winner of the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham last year - was in front Three Stripe Life from flagfall and nothing else got into the race.
A couple of errors down the back straight gave Three Stripe Life half a chance, but he could not capitalise. The second-last obstacle was omitted due to the low sun and Sir Gerhard sealed victory by jumping the last much better than his nearest pursuer.
Paul Townend was able to take it easy on Sir Gerhard who went on to score by six lengths. Colonel Mustard was the same distance away with a good effort in third.
It was a third Grade One success on the day for Mullins and Townend after Galopin Des Champs and Chacun Pour Soi.
Mullins said: "I was disappointed how he jumped down the back, he galloped through two or three hurdles.
"I was giving out before the race that the second-last was taken out, but halfway down the back I said maybe it's a good thing.
"He jumped the second-last well and jumped the last well and galloped the whole way to the line which was fantastic.
"He hung off the bend past the stands and then was all over the place going to the hurdle past the stand. Was he just idling in front, I don't know, or was something annoying him. We'll find out when Paul comes back in.
"He got very keen on Paul around the top bend and when he got keen he didn't jump well. He was so efficient here at Christmas, he jumped like a handicapper so I was disappointed with his jumping.
"I'm not really worried about his jumping, I think he just had a blip there today."
Sir Gerhard is 3-1 with Coral for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle and 5-2 for the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham. He was cut to 9-2 from 5-1 for the Supreme with Betfair and Paddy Power.
"I think he could go either way, I'd have no trouble going to the Supreme Novices' with him or to the Ballymore. We'll see what is in either race and then make our minds up," said Mullins.
"He settles well enough in a two-mile race and he has stamina for two and a half."
