Willie Mullins watched Colreevy and stablemate Elimay secure a one-two in the inaugural staging of the Grade Two Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase before admitting he was relieved after some disappointing performances from his horses on the final day of The Festival™ supporting WellChild.
The contest, staged over an extended two and a half miles, saw Colreevy hold off the strong challenge of the JP McManus-owned Elimay by half a length.
Colreevy was the 13th Irish point-to-pointer to win at this years Cheltenham Festival having started her career with Pat Doyle. She was unfortunate to come down on her debut when coming to grief at the final fence whilst on terms with subsequent winner in a maiden at Lemonfield.
A delighted Mullins told Racing TV: “A good few of mine disappointed today and we were just getting a little worried, so at least these two showed their form. Colreevy was very brave, they are two brave mares to do what they did. Really delighted for the Flynns, they’ve had winners here before.
“Poor JP it’s just not his day, he was telling me before the race, and unfortunately not again [in that race either]. They ran their hearts out. Two really good jumpers and both jockeys wanted to make use of that and they did.”
Paul Townend said of Colreevy: “She’s very tough. She’s only a novice, but you wouldn’t think that from the way she jumps. She was very keen with me early, down the middle and back on to the racecourse proper, but I elected just to let her run and attack her jumps, and I thought myself and Mark [Walsh, riding second-placed Elimay] had a good duel from the long way out.
“It was nip and tuck, but I felt that when we rounded the bend I still had a life. My fear was we’d gone at it and something was going to come late at us.
“I was disappointed with the way Colreevy ran here last year in the mares’ hurdle, but since she jumped a fence it’s brought about improvement on her. I’d imagine the drop of rain definitely helped her.
“She was a Grade One winner at Christmas and she’s a very valuable mare. We’ll leave it up to Willie and the owners to decide what happens next.”
