Willie Mullins ends Lexus hex as Don Poli grinds it out at Leopardstown racing
Don Poli ended Willie Mullins' long wait for success in the Lexus Chase with a narrow verdict in the big race at Leopardstown.
Despite his domination of Irish National Hunt racing, Mullins had never won the Christmas highlight and provided half of the six-runner field, also saddling On His Own and Sir Des Champs.
Photo of the day: He might not win pretty but Don Poli looks a picture as he soars over this fence pic.twitter.com/TsIkOJzJBc
— Racing Post (@RacingPost) December 28, 2015
Don Poli (4-6 favourite) did the business under Bryan Cooper, but the 4-6 favourite only hung on by half a length from First Lieutenant, also wearing the winning colours of Gigginstown House Stud.
Mullins said: "It's hard to know how good he is and how much more he has to produce.
"We'll have to think about the Hennessy (at Leopardstown in February) but that was tough, coming back so soon after his first run.
"It was his first senior Grade One and I don't think too many people will be shortening for the Gold Cup after that.
Great shot of Don Poli, Foxrock & On His Own jumping a fence today at Leopardstown! pic.twitter.com/ELp8P8h2Gq
— sportsfile (@sportsfile) December 28, 2015
"Would the bare form of that race win the Gold Cup? I don't know.
"I was a bit disappointed with Sir Des Champs (fifth) but On His Own (fourth) ran a cracker.
"I think he (On His Own) is better with the blinkers and he'll get an entry in the Gold Cup."
Gigginstown took the other Grade One on the card with the Gordon Elliott-trained Prince Of Scars (10-1), who got the better of fellow Michael O'Leary runner Alpha Des Obeaux by two lengths in the Squared Financial Christmas Hurdle.
Elliott said: "I'm not sure if he'd be a stayers' horse on ground a bit drier.
"We'll think about it (World Hurdle) but we might save him for next year.
"Whatever he does he'll make a smashing chaser."
Mullins' representative Arctic Fire was sent off 5-4 favourite but was last of the four finishers.
"I don't know if he would have won at any distance," said the trainer.
"I think we might find something wrong and I'd put a line through that run.
"He'll run in the Irish Champion Hurdle."
Zabana made a seamless transition to fences for trainer Andrew Lynch to win the Ballymaloe Foods Beginners Chase.
"We think an awful lot of him," said Lynch.
"I've no plans yet but he could step up in trip."
