By Andrew Atkinson
Willie Mullins trained Jungle Boogie (5-6) tipped by fromthehorsesmouth.info notched up a third consecutive win in the 2 miles 5 furlong Beginners’ Chase at Fairyhouse, the second leg of a short-price double for Mullins and Sean O’Keeffe, following victory in the Mares’ Hurdle with the Allegorie De Vassy.
“That was very impressive, obviously he’s been a bit fragile to train, but he has a huge engine,” said Assistant trainer David Casey.
“Chasing was always going to be his game. Obviously we would have preferred to have had more racing into him before now.
“Hopefully we can keep him in one piece and go forward with him,” added Casey.
Mount Ida was cut into 6-1 from 10-1 for the Paddy Power Mares’ Chase at the 2022 Cheltenham Festival after winning the John & Chich Fowler Memorial EBF Mares Chase.
Trainer Gordon Elliott revealed the 2022 Aintree Grand National could be on the agenda.
Put The Kettle ridden by Rachael Blackmore trailed home last, beaten 42 lengths.
The dual Cheltenham Festival winner was struggling when Mount Ida hit the front after the second-last and went on under tenacious ride from Davy Russell gaining a half length win.
“I’ve been thinking about the Grand National for her, but you’d have to look at the Mares’ Chase for her after that now,” said Elliott.
“She’s a great mare and I’m delighted for the boys as it’s the first day they’ve been back racing to see a winner.
“They are big supporters of Irish racing and of the yard, and they’re going to be a force in the future.
“She has just kept progressing. I suppose Cheltenham is the first time she really showed it to us last year, she was brilliant in Clonmel the last day and very good again today so she’s getting better all the time.
“After Cheltenham she was very sore in her back and we got her looked after. She seems to be a different mare since.”
Main image: Jungle Boogie wins at Fairyhouse on New Years Day
Boum time at Tramore for Mullins in fromthehorsesmouth.info 15-1 accumulator
Willie Mullins trained Al Boum Photo won a fourth consecutive Grade 3 Savills Chase at Tramore on New Year’s Day under Paul Townend, part of a fromthehorsesmouth.info 15-1 four-horse accumulator.
Dual Gold Cup ace Al Boum Photo 1-6 odds-on gained a comprehensive victory.
“Mission accomplished. I thought Burrows Saint ran a cracker in behind. I thought he was going to be a danger, but when Paul pressed the button it was all over,” said Mullins.
“Hopefully Al Boum Photo comes out of that well. He did everything right, bar fluffing one fence. Paul said he was just a bit idle in front. Other than that, it went well.
“I’d like to get some form of a run into him if something came up, but I’m not thinking beyond today.”
Al Boum Photo is priced at 14-1 to win the Gold Cup bidding to emulate Best Mate in winning the Gold Cup for a third time.
Cheltenham Gold Cup betting: 7-2 A Plus Tard, 6-1 Galvin, 8-1 Minella Indo, 10-1 Tornado Flyer, 14-1 Al Boum Photo, Protektorat, 20-1 bar.
Mullins trained duo Al Boum Photo (1-6) and El Fabiolo (2-7), along with Bridge Street (5-2) and Young Fitzy (15-8) returned a fromthehorsesmouth.info 15-1 accumulator.
