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Patrick McCann
“title =” Paul Townend celebrates aboard the Chacun Pour Soi after his second success at Dublin Chase “class =” js-imageLoader “data-at-xn =” https://www.rp-assets.com/images/news / 2021/02/06/88070-medium.jpeg “data-br-n =” https://www.rp-assets.com/images/news/2021/02/06/88070-medium.jpeg “data- br-m = “https://www.rp-assets.com/images/news/2021/02/06/88070-large.jpeg” data-br-w = “https: //www.rp-assets. com / images /news/2021/02/06/88070-large.jpeg “data-br-xw =” https://www.rp-assets.com/images/news/2021/02/06/88070-large .jpeg “onclick =” return false; “>
By Richard Forristal
We may not have learned much when Chacun Pour Soi dispatched Fakir D’Oudairies and Notebook to secure his second Ladbrokes Dublin Chase, but he proved quite spectacularly that he is as good as ever and possibly still getting better. That is one perspective.
In the two-mile equivalent contest at Christmas, the towering star owned by Susannah and Rich Ricci gave up the Notebook for six and a half lengths. This time, Notebook was all 15-lengths in third place, with Fakir D’Oudairies a somewhat neglected eight-length runner-up.
While Chacun Pour Soi may be nine years old, the mileage is low and this was only his seventh start in three seasons for Willie Mullins.
While it once seemed like he might need to dominate his opposition, the way he ran behind Paul Townend’s bridle suggests that he is now a much more mature professional.
After landing penultimate, Townend’s reins were loosened as Rachael Blackmore at Notebook and Mark Walsh at Fakir D’Oudairies tried to force the issue up front.
Watch Each For Self win the Dublin Chase
But as much as the pair tried, Townend never sent any major distress signals, and it wasn’t until the two in front parted like the Red Sea turning on the straight that Chacun Pour Soi began to stamp his authority on the career.
Townend took care of him and when he pointed out the gap, the response was emphatic. He asked his mount to reach the final hurdle, got the jump they needed, and the 2-5 favorite proceeded to clear under clinical hand and heel management.
“It’s special,” Townend said after a partner with whom he is more effusive than anything else right now.
“Weird is beautiful. I thought we were going as hard as the rest of them, and when you can get past the hurdles so fast and give them the pace that gives them, that’s what we do this job for.
“I felt comfortable at all stages being able to pick them up and when I got the hole on the straight, he took it.”
Patrick McCann
“title =” Chacun Pour Soi towers over a fence in Leopardstown under Paul Townend on his way to another commanding victory “class =” js-imageLoader “data-at-xn =” https://www.rp-assets.com / images / news / 2021/02/06/88071-medium.jpeg “data-br-n =” https://www.rp-assets.com/images/news/2021/02/06/88071-medium. jpeg “data-br-m =” https://www.rp-assets.com/images/news/2021/02/06/88071-large.jpeg “data-br-w =” https: // www. rp -assets.com/images/news/2021/02/06/88071-large.jpeg “data-br-xw =” https://www.rp-assets.com/images/news/2021/02/06 / 88071-large.jpeg “onclick =” return false; “>
The victory here meant that Mullins has now won all four Dublin Chase races. Min took the first two and chased Chacun Pour Soi home 12 months earlier.
This time, having competed for the lead with Notebook, Min’s jump was sloppy under Patrick Mullins. After landing right in the middle of the sixth and seventh fences, Mullins chose to raise his mount.
That certainly made life easier for Chacun Pour Soi, but there may not be a horse in training right now that can live with this equine colossus in a day’s work.
Saturday’s € 125,000 Grade 1 sponsors duly reduced it to 4-6 from 11-10 to provide Mullins with that elusive first win in the Betway Queen Mother Hunt for Champions.
“That was a very good performance,” said a visibly delighted Mullins after the middle stage of his Grade 1 triple.
“He is an incredible horse to have something to do with.”
Although Townend insisted that he was always happy, Mullins was among those watching and he wasn’t so sure.
After witnessing the son of Policy Maker meeting for the first time consecutive Grade 1s, he admitted: “The end result was much better than it was seen in one stage. I couldn’t figure out if Paul was very sure after jumping the last quarter or if he was just biding his time, if the horse was taking a hit and he was just giving it a break or if he had nothing left in the tank. .
“But Paul said he was asleep where he was and that he was happy to let the two of them fight and get the last one.”
Now it’s not just a matter of getting him to Cheltenham, as they did last year before an 11 hour setback. This time they need to keep him healthy for 24 more hours.
That could be the hardest part.
Read more reports and reactions from the great races
Big race reaction: ‘There should be no question about Honeysuckle’s next goal’
‘Few can live with him in his prime and the Chase of Champions is his’
‘She was just deadly’ – perfect ten for Honeysuckle in Irish Champion Hurdle
‘Weird is beautiful’ – Townend praises special Chacun Pour Soi
‘It’s a fantasy race!’ – Triple Mullins and Townend Bag with Electric Energumene
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FIRST POST 1:50 PM, FEBRUARY 6, 2021
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