Bachasson bags Red Mills Chase glory at Gowran

Alan Magee
March 2, 2021 5:38 pm

Mullins’ runner unbeaten so far this term.

Bachasson made it four from four for the season with victory in the Red Mills Chase at Gowran Park.

The Willie Mullins-trained grey has mixed disciplines to great effect this season – previously landing the Clonmel Oil Chase, a conditions hurdle at Punchestown and the Limestone Lad Hurdle at Naas.

Faced with just three rivals on his return to the larger obstacles for a rescheduled running of this Grade Two contest, Paul Townend’s mount tracked Spyglass Hill for much of the two-and-a-half-mile journey before taking over the lead before the home turn.

Castlegrace Paddy briefly looked a threat, but 4-11 favourite Bachasson sauntered clear in effortless fashion and passed the post with 16 lengths in hand.

The grade 2 Red Mills Chase goes the way of the talented Bachasson 🤩
Five on the bounce for the likeable grey, who hacks up under @PTownend for the @WillieMullinsNH team 🏆 pic.twitter.com/ScagnOE45r

— Gowran Park (@GowranPark1) March 2, 2021

Mullins said: “He’s just an extraordinary horse. He’s a real advertisement for what we would call a handy horse. It just shows that they come in all shapes and sizes. He was bought as a bumper/hurdle horse, but he has such scope and is so brave.

“Paul said he was absolutely loving it today when he got upsides Rachael (Blackmore, on Spyglass Hill) and he just took off. He’s in love with the game, even though he’s done a lot of racing.

“I’d imagine we’ll look for a similar type of contest, maybe the Webster Cup at Navan. He can go back over hurdles if conditions are right.

“He’s a great horse for the O’Connells (owners) to have on the back of Un De Sceaux.”