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Patrick McCann
“title =” Abacadabras and Jack Kennedy on their way to victory at the Morgiana Hurdle “class =” js-imageLoader “data-at-xn =” https://www.rp-assets.com/images/news/2020/ 11/15/84897-medium.jpeg “data-br-n =” https://www.rp-assets.com/images/news/2020/11/15/84897-medium.jpeg “data-br-m = “https://www.rp-assets.com/images/news/2020/11/15/84897-large.jpeg” data-br-w = “https://www.rp-assets.com/images /news/2020/11/15/84897-large.jpeg “data-br-xw =” https://www.rp-assets.com/images/news/2020/11/15/84897-large.jpeg ” onclick = “return false;”>
By Brian Sheerin
For the better part of a decade, Willie Mullins had cast a spell on his rivals Morgiana Hurdle, but it was Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy who worked their magic in Punchestown on Sunday with Abacadabras.
It was a race that generated as many questions as it answered. One of the peculiarities of racing remains that the fewer runners, the more tactical the race becomes.
He certainly got tactical in the Unibet sponsored Grade 1, and despite all the charm surrounding Mullins in pursuit of his 10th consecutive race win and Elliott trying to bring his Champion Hurdle challenge to life, the race only came to life in the final. obstacle.
A calm early pace created a final sprint from the back of the last and Abacadabras did his best to hold off the 10-11 favorite Saint Roi by just a neck on the line with a shorter head back to Jason The Millitant.
The pressure was on the maroon corner of the parade ring following a below par comeback at Down Royal, not that Kennedy felt it, and the win put Abacadbras back in the image of Champion Hurdle, regardless of style in the. that was achieved. .
Patrick McCann
“title =” Abacadabras and Jack Kennedy at the Winners’ Hall in Punchestown “class =” js-imageLoader “data-at-xn =” https://www.rp-assets.com/images/news/2020/11 / 15 /84901-medium.jpeg “data-br-n =” https://www.rp-assets.com/images/news/2020/11/15/84901-medium.jpeg “data-br-m = “https: //www.rp-assets.com/images/news/2020/11/15/84901-large.jpeg” data-br-w = “https://www.rp-assets.com/images/ news / 2020/11/15/84901-large.jpeg “data-br-xw =” https://www.rp-assets.com/images/news/2020/11/15/84901-large.jpeg “onclick = “return false; “>
“I was pretty happy the whole way,” Kennedy said. “However, when he reached the bottom, he did some awkward jumps again. But I came too early, too early.
“When I saw that it was Coeur Sublime who was next to me, I knew that my boy had a career under his belt, so I wanted to push him. It turned out that I was there too early and he was left standing in front. Although he retired again” .
Abacadabras did not trade for most signatures for the Champion Hurdle at 8-1 and Elliott, who was recording his first career victory alongside Kennedy and the owners of Gigginstown House Stud, believes we will not see the best in his horse. until you get a better rhythm and better terrain.
Speaking from home, the coach said: “We knew he was coming from Down Royal as he took a hit two that day. I was happy with that and would say better terrain and stronger pace would suit him better. I’d say we’re going to Leopardstown for Christmas with him now. “
Mullins may have seen his unbeaten streak in the race come to an end, but he wiped out the positives from the contest with Sant Roi, a horse he later revealed on Racing TV to remain his main Hurdle Champion hope for the season.
He said: “There were a lot of positives to draw from this. The fact that he got back up to get hit just in the neck and I’d say another couple of steps past the line and he was probably back to the front. He made mistakes, he came out on the wrong side of things here and there, but I think the performance was good. “
When asked if Leopardstown would be on Saint Roi’s agenda, Mullins confirmed that a rematch with Abacadabras could be on the cards.
“You imagine that would be the obvious route,” Mullins said. “Right now it seems that [the stable’s best Champion Hurdle contender] in the absence of other horses leaving.
“Saint Roi has the gears, stays and can jump. He didn’t announce that today, he made some mistakes, but I think it was because he was pulling so hard on this heavy terrain. On better terrain there will be a faster pace and he will adapt better. “.
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FIRST POST 2:21 PM, NOVEMBER 15, 2020
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