Two more Grade 1 wins for Mullins

Willie Mullins dominated the third day of the Punchestown Festival with four more winners, including both Grade 1 events. Klassical Dream won the Champion Stayers Hurdle for the third consecutive year with the nine year old returning to his best with a half length win. Below par in the Cheltenham Festival version in March following a far from ideal preparation, the former ex-French gelding was patiently ridden by Paul Townend before being producing going to the last. Staying on strongly, he was recording his seventh Grade 1 win of his successful career.

Stable companion El Fabiolo was even more convincing in the Grade 1 two mile novice chase. An eleven lengths winner, the Spanish Moon gelding was extending his unbeaten record over the larger obstacles to four here. A five and a half lengths scorer in the Arkle at Cheltenham, he is inclined to give the odd fence a rub but the six year old possesses a huge engine and will be a major force in the top two mile chases next term. 

There are two more Grade 1 events on the fourth day of the Festival on Friday - I suggest One Jump Ahead readers keep a close eye on the horse mentioned at the top of page 150. He is believed to be very good and one to follow.

George Boughey's interview in Ahead On The Flat is once again producing plenty of winners with two more on Thursday. Cantora (11/8) went close on her previous start at Redcar earlier this month and she made amends in the concluding ten furlongs handicap at Beverley. Bred to stay well being a half-sister to winning jumper Amour De Nuit, she won readily by over three lengths off a mark of 67 and it will be a surprise if she doesn't follow up early next month. Her stablemate Believing (5/2) finished fifth in the Group 3 Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket last week and successfully dropped back in trip in the Listed Chelmer Fillies' Stakes at Chelmsford. Partnered by James Doyle, she wore down Irish raider Catherine of Siena inside the final furlong to win a shade cosily. Races such as the Listed Cecil Frail Stakes (26th May) or Group 2 Sandy Lane Stakes both at Haydock (27th May) are likely to feature on her programme before a tilt at the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot in June. Sprinting looks her game.