Willie Mullins taking positives from Saint Roi defeat

Alan Magee
November 16, 2020 11:45 am

Favourite suffered narrow Morgiana Hurdle reverse.

Willie Mullins retains full faith in Saint Roi despite his odds-on defeat at Punchestown on Sunday.

Mullins was aiming to win the Morgiana Hurdle for a 10th straight year with last season’s County Hurdle hero, but he endured a luckless run.

Having raced keenly through the early stages before making a mistake at the final flight, Saint Roi eventually closed to within a neck of Abacadabras.

Saint Roi (white hat) had plenty to do jumping the last but closed to within a neck (Niall Carson/PA)

“So much went wrong, but there are a lot of positives to take out of it,” said Mullins.

“He was beaten only a neck and in another couple of strides past the line he was probably in front.

“He made mistakes and got on the wrong side of things here and there, but the performance was still good. He was pulling hard and Mark (Walsh) was caught between a rock and a hard place.

“The ground was testing and he was hoping he’d drop the bridle halfway around. Then they all rushed by him at the second last and he found himself in a bad position, but these things happen.

“I’m hoping what we learned about the horse might be to our advantage the next day. I’d imagine Leopardstown at Christmas is the obvious route with him.

“He made a few mistakes, but I think that was because he was pulling so hard on heavy ground. On faster ground there will be a better pace and it will suit him better.”