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Un Atout Shows Champion Qualities in Tattersalls
26/04/13

1 Un Atout 4/6F
2 Ubak 9/4
3 Sizing Rio 4/1
NR: Mullaghanoe River (IRE), Pont Alexandre (GER)
3 ran Distances: nk, 12l
TIME 5m 30.50s (slow by 49.50s)

Un Atout was made to pull out all of the stops to justify odds-on favouritism in the Tattersalls Ireland Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown.

Un Atout
© Caroline Norris

Unbeaten in his first three starts before finishing fourth in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham, Willie Mullins' five-year-old was a 4-6 chance to beat just two opponents, with stable companion Pont Alexandre and Mullaghanoe River both non-runners.

Davy Russell sent Un Atout into an early lead and looked set to win readily once straightened up for home, but Gary Moore's Aintree scorer Ubak threw down a determined challenge and a good leap at the last brought him right alongside. It was hard work on the run-in, but Un Atout dug deep to claim Grade One honours by a neck.

Mullins said: "He was good. He's a three-parts brother to Sir Des Champs and toughness is their middle name. He missed a couple of days with a stone bruise, which was a bit of a worry. He hasn't the best feet and you have to constantly mind him.

"I was surprised the others didn't make the running. I thought we might drop in last, but he does some of his best work at home from the front, so I wasn't too worried. I loved the way he came back after being passed. I thought the game was up at the last (hurdle).

"My French connections always thought he could be a better horse than Sir Des Champs - that's the kind of potential we hope he might have. He's a good jumper and he's obviously going to be a staying novice chaser next year, but we could even start him off in a two-mile beginners chase. We'll just take what we get."

Russell added: "He probably didn't get the best run from Cheltenham to here, but he's a good horse. He's a tough and courageous horse, it's a trait of his father (Robin Des Champs). I'd say in the future he'll stay three miles, he'll make a nice chaser.

"That was the beautiful thing about today was the way he jumped his hurdles, leading towards chasing - I think that's where his future lies.

"A couple of strides after the last, I thought I was beaten, but the minute the other horse gave him half a chance, my fella dug in and we had enough time then from there to the line. The last 150 or 200 yards, I was fairly sure I was going to get by him."

The Tattersalls Ireland Champion Novice Hurdle
2m 4f , Race Value: €80,000
3 ran
Going: Heavy