Mullins hails ‘incredible’ Un De Sceaux

Horse Racing
Mullins hails 'incredible' Un De Sceaux

Willie Mullins praised Un De Sceaux’s ‘incredible performance’ after the veteran defended his Champion Chase crown at Punchestown.

The 11-year-old went into the race on the back of just two outings since winning the two-mile contest 12 months ago, finishing behind Altior in the Tingle Creek at Sandown and then recording a fifth-placed finish in the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Stablemate Min was well-fancied to come out on top on this occasion on the back of a solid win in the JLT Chase at Aintree earlier in April.

But Un De Sceaux failed to read the script as Paul Townend guided him into a leading position, which was not relinquished despite some late pressure from Min.

And, after watching Un De Sceaux claim his 23rd career victory by four lengths, Mullins said: ‘It was an incredible performance for an 11-year-old in a race like that – I think he’s probably older than the two hunt horses that led him in! ‘It’s unbelievable the energy he has and he comes out with that every morning.

I’ve never had a horse with his enthusiasm – he just loves it.

‘Paul thought he was dead underneath him at the start, but the minute he faced him for the tape, he came alive.

He said he was a passenger for three-quarters of the way, but that’s a great feeling for a jockey – being on a machine like that and jumping so well.

‘Un De Sceaux has come here a fresh horse compared to Min.

Min had a very hard race in Aintree and maybe he needs an extra half-mile at this stage of his career.’

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