Willie Mullins' Felix Yonger wins Champion Chase at Punchestown
Tuesday 28 April 2015 20:26, UK
Felix Yonger and Danny Mullins edged out Baily Green in a thrilling finish to the BoyleSports Champion Chase at Punchestown.
Ridden by Danny Mullins and sent off at 5/1 with Ruby Walsh aboard 3/1 favourite Champagne Fever, the nine-year-old wasn't necessarily the Willie Mullins-trained horse on everybody's lips with the County Carlow handler also responsible for Twinlight.
He was giving a cool ride by Mullins who passed his back-pedalling stablemate with three to jump to go in pursuit of Baily Green and Mallowney.
Baily Green had received a positive ride and the pace proved too much for Hidden Cyclone who had matched strides with the eventual second for much of the opening exchanges.
Mallowney was the only other horse to get into the race but he was readily left behind in the straight.
Felix Yonger was a little low at the second last but met the final obstacle in his stride and he and Baily Green went toe to toe all the way to the line with the winning margin just half a length with Hidden Cyclone staying on past Mallowney for a 16 length third.
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![Tessa Quigley from Tyrone poses for a photo during Boylesports Champion Chase Day at Punchestown Racecourse, Co. Kilare, Ireland. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo.]()
Image: Tessa Quigley from Tyrone poses for a photo at Punchestown -
![(left-right) Grace Carroll, Linda Murphy, Darren Farrell and Carey Young from Dublin poses for a photo during Boylesports Champion Chase Day at Punchestown]()
Image: Grace Carroll, Linda Murphy, Darren Farrell and Carey Young from Dublin enjoy a day at the races -
![Runners clear the laurel hedge in The Kildare Hunt Club Fr Breen Memorial Steeple Chase]()
Image: Runners clear the laurel hedge in The Kildare Hunt Club Fr Breen Memorial Steeple Chase -
![Wish Ye Didnt]()
Image: Wish Ye Didnt and Nina Carberry vie for the lead -
![Wish Ye Didnt]()
Image: But eventually come home clear of the field -
![Douvan]()
Image: Douvan clears the last to win the Herald Champion Novice Hurdle -
![Douvan]()
Image: By a comfortable seven and a half lengths -
![Taoiseach Enda Kenny and jockey Niall Slippers Madden after Some Article won the Killashee Handicap Hurdle]()
Image: Niall Madden gets a meeting with Taoiseach Enda Kenny and jockey after riding Some Article to win the Killashee Handicap Hurdle -
![Stewards watch]()
Image: Stewards watch the action -
![Felix Yonger (R) clears the last to win The Boylesports Champion Steeplechase from Baily Green]()
Image: Felix Yonger (R) clears the last to win The BoyleSports Champion Steeplechase from Baily Green -
![Felix Yonger]()
Image: But only after a titanic struggle -
![Danny Mullins]()
Image: He gets a hug from a delighted Danny Mullins -
![Andrea & Graham Wylie]()
Image: Taoiseach, Enda Kenny and sponsor John Boyle present the trophy to winning owners Andrea & Graham Wylie -
![Taoiseach Enda Kenny poses with with Best Dressed Lady Kirsty Farrell (left) and former Miss World Rosanna Davidson]()
Image: The Taoiseach then poses with Best Dressed Lady Kirsty Farrell (left) and former Miss World Rosanna Davidson -
![Tony McCoy poses with the crowd]()
Image: He may not be riding but he's still at the races and Tony McCoy gets a good reception -
![Tony McCoy is presented with a hamper by Ruby Walsh]()
Image: As well as a hamper presented by former weighing room colleagues -
![Petit Mouchoir]()
Image: Petit Mouchoir is an impressive winner of the Goffs Land Rover bumper -
![Jamie Codd ridng Petit Mouchoir]()
Image: To the delight of Jamie Codd -
![Valseur Lido (r)]()
Image: There's another for Gigginstown as Valseur Lido (r) takes Grade One honours under Ruby Walsh -
![Valseur Lido]()
Image: Pulling clear of Wounded Warrior -
![Valseur Lido ridden by Ruby Walsh]()
Image: "Look Ruby, I could have stretched my neck out this far if it had been close." -
![Timing's Everything ridden by Jane Mangan]()
Image: Timing's Everything and Jane Mangan land the finale
Mullins said: "That's great for Danny. He went off to America the last two weekends and rode four winners. He's riding out of his skin.
"He's riding full of confidence. He sat on him and waited his turn, letting his lungs fill with air and came with one run. It paid off.
"He has the confidence to ride him like that and when the horse hits a flat spot he leaves him alone until he comes right. They are a good partnership.
"We thought it was a very open race going out. Ruby said Champagne Fever slipped going into the first and was never right after. Paul said Twinlight hit a wing in mid-air and his race was gone then.
"Felix Yonger is a good horse. They are calling it good to yielding but there is a lot more good in it and that suits him so I thought he might come into it. It didn't surprise me.
"We'll probably put him away now."
The winning rider said: "I rode four winners over the last couple of weekends in America and I'm very grateful to Willie for putting me in for some good rides. It's great to win a Grade 1 at the Punchestown Festival.
"Felix Yonger tends to hit a flat spot in his races, it was the same the day I rode him at Cork last season. The engine is there when you want it and he was very quick over the last two."
Owner Graham Wylie added: "Felix Yonger is a two and a half miler really but when they went off at such a lick, we thought it might play to his strengths.
"Danny gave him a peach of a ride and got him into a great rhythm. He jumped well and had a bit left in the tank to finish off at the end of the race. It was a nice surprise.
"Danny is a very good young jockey and has won twice now on this horse. I am delighted for him and for Willie and the team - it was a good training performance.
"It is a great way to start the week and hopefully it can continue."
