Evergreen All The Chimneys scores for Austin at Thurles

All The Chimneys, who marks his twelfth birthday in a few weeks’ time, recorded the eighth success of his career when he ran out a most convincing winner of the two mile and two handicap chase at in the very capable hands of Trevor Ryan at Thurles on Thursday.

Backed into 9/1, the son of Bach took his time to warm to his task, but he improved to be right on the premises going across the top of the hill. He could be called the winner off the home turn, however, Trevor Ryan waited until the approach to the final fence to send him on about his business and from there he went away to record a comfortable five and a half length success over the outsider Presenting Point.

This victory says much for the training skills of Willie Austin who has managed to keep his charge “sweet” and enjoying what he is doing in a career that has seen him visit the racecourse no less that 53 times and earn well over €50,000 in prize money.

Trevor Ryan, who is great value for his 5lb claim, has enjoyed a fruitful partnership with the trainer and they could well pay to follow over the Yuletide period.

Willie Mullins has ways found Thurles a happy hunting ground. He has run some of his best horses here and in Gauloise, who landed the extended mile and seven mares’ maiden hurdle, he has a filly that will surely go on to better things.

Winner of her only race on the level in her native France, the daughter of Samum was well spoken about pre-race so it came as no surprise to see her star an odds-on favourite. Never too far out of her ground, jockey Paul Townend waited until the second last before sending her to the front and under a hands and heels ride she simply toyed with the opposition to land the spoils by an ever increasing five and a half lengths from Global Equity.

Make no mistake about it this was a performance right out of the top drawer. Willie Mullins expressed his delight at the outcome and revealed that a step up in grade is now on the agenda.

This was the second leg of a double for the trainer and rider which was initiated by Franco De Port in the opening two mile and two beginners’ chase.

Having his first outing since being pulled in the Coral Cup at the Cheltenham Festival, Franco De Port was reported to have taken well to fences and punters heeded the vibes as they sent him off an odds-on favourite.

Never too far out of his ground, the five-year-old never put a foot astray as he hit the front after the penultimate fence and galloped all the way to the line where he had six and a half lengths to spare over the Mouse Morris runner Whatsnotoknow.

In his post-race reflections, Willie Mullins revealed that he held the winner in high regard last season, but he disappointed at Limerick over Christmas and at Cheltenham. Chasing was always going to be his game. He is working well at home and if bringing that level of form to the track he will go a long way.

Rachael Blackmore is the pride and joy of patrons at this her local track and although they could not be present, they would have been pleased to see her have her customary winner at the venue when she piloted Gua Du Large in the two mile four-year-old maiden hurdle.

Just touched off in a maiden hurdle back at Fairyhouse in October, the Kapgarde gelding made no mistake this time as he was sent to the front early in the straight and availing of the fall of Gjoumi at the last flight, he scampered clear to take the money by 23 lengths from the 125/1 chance Landa Beach. There was, however, a sting in the tail for Ms Blackmore as she was handed a one-day ban for careless riding.

Described as “a nice horse” by the winning trainer Henry de Bromhead, the winner will be aimed at a winners’ contest over Christmas.

Stars come out at Fairyhouse

Fairyhouse staged a mouth-watering two-day card at the weekend where some of the brightest stars in the novice division, and one or two older horses were on show.

Willie Mullins has struck form with a vengeance in recent weeks and in Monkfish, who turned in a hugely impressive display to win the opening two mile and five beginners chase on Saturday, he has a horse with Gold Cup written all over him.

Last season’s Albert Bartlett winner was making his chasing debut and since Mullins has always maintained he will be a better horse with a fence in front of him, his reappearance as eagerly awaited.

Starting at cramped odds, Monkfish was settled on the tail of the leader by Paul Townend. He took over four fences from home and stood off at the wings of the last to put the race to bed. His winning margin of four lengths over Ontheropes in no way reflected his superiority and trainers will be anxious to give him a wide berth over the Christmas period, however, his main aim is the RSA Chase at Cheltenham, for which he has already been installed as favourite.

Willie Mullins was not slow to express his regard for Concertista who turned in an eye-catching display to land the extended two mile and three Grade 2 Mares Hurdle.

Held up by Paul Townend early on, Concertista improved to be right on the premises turning to face the judge. Townend waited until the last flight to pop the question and the mare simply found another gear to hit the wire a length and threequarters to the good from Minella Melody with plenty in hand.

Willie Mullins raised a few eyebrows when he announced that he might take on the boys with Concertista before the season is out.

Gordon Elliott saddled two of his best young horses on Sundays concluding session and they both came through with flying colours under the guidance of Jack Kennedy. First up was Ballyadam, who was taking a major leap from winning a maiden hurdle to contesting the Grade 1 Royal Bond hurdle, but he answered the call in some style.

Not entirely fluent at one or two of his hurdles, the Fame And Glory gelding still had enough in reserve to defeat Cask Mate by a length and a half and is now firmly on track for a tilt at the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cotswolds.

Ever since he made a winning debut in a point to point at Ballinaboola for Colin Bowe, Envoi Allen has been a talking horse and has yet to taste defeat. His haul includes the Champion Bumper and the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham. He opened his chasing account in effortless fashion at Down Royal and frightened off much of the opposition for the two and a half mile Grade1 Drinmore Chase with Joseph O'Brien the only trainer to oppose him.

Making every post a winning one, Envoi Allen defeated Assemble by eight and a half lengths at odds of 2/11 and according to Gordon Elliott he will have just one more outing at Punchestown before contesting the Marsh Chase at Prestbury Park. He is arguably the most exciting horse in training and racing fans can hardly wait for the day when he will cross swords with Monkfish. It will create the same euphoria of the Arkle and Mill House clashes all those years ago.

Another to put her unbeaten credentials on the line was Honeysuckle who was bidding for a repeat victory in the Grade 1 Hatton's Grace Hurdle. Although she duly achieved her objective, she had to dig deep to withstand the late surge of Ronald Pump by half a length. This was a highly commendable effort by the six-year-old as she was having her first outing of the season and sets her up nicely for some of the top mares’ hurdles in the months ahead.