Ballyburn out to emulate Gaelic Warrior, Faugheen and Champagne Fever with chase debut victory at Punchestown

Willie Mullins saddled the likes of Gaelic Warrior, Faugheen, Valseur Lido and Champagne Fever to victory in this 2m3f beginners' chase before they all went on to have glittering careers over fences, but rarely has a chasing recruit commanded as much hype as Ballyburn.

The Flemensfirth gelding was always likely to be a bright prospect to go hurdling with after landing two bumpers, but what he achieved in that sphere was undoubtedly bolstered last season due to the exploits of three-time Grade 1 winner Dancing City and Supreme hero Slade Steel, who he soundly beat at Punchestown on his final bumper start.

He was beaten by the very smart Firefox on his hurdling debut at Fairyhouse, but he hasn't looked back since, landing his maiden at Leopardstown in a canter by 25 lengths and putting in electric displays at Leopardstown and Cheltenham before rounding off the campaign with a third Grade 1 and a slightly more workmanlike performance at Punchestown.

His display when gliding 13 lengths clear in the Gallagher Novices' Hurdle in March was infused with the kind of swagger and imperiousness we don't see very often in novice hurdles at the festival. He treated his rivals with utter contempt, with Paul Townend barely having to twitch in the saddle.

It will be interesting to see if his proclivity to carry his head low persists over fences, although it's certainly not a negative, and Townend has noted in the past that such a habit makes it look like he's racing more exuberantly than he actually is.

Trainer Willie Mullins said: "He came back after the summer in good shape and looks strong. I've been very happy with him over the last few weeks. He jumps well and has always looked like a chaser. We're looking forward to seeing how he gets on this season."

He has all the hallmarks of a rare talent and his rivals here are some way off his standard. A couple of those closest behind him in the market have to recover from a few uninspiring efforts at the end of last season, so Padraig Roche's progressive mare Miss Pronunciation might be the one to chase him home.

Ballyburn: by those who know him best

Willie Mullins in his 2023 stable tour
He was really impressive in both starts in bumpers last season, but he was very hard on himself on both occasions. I'm hoping that hurdles will help settle him down and he'll certainly need to settle better and learn how to race. He won't get away with being that free when he steps up in class over hurdles. On pedigree he's bred to stay well, but with his method of racing at the moment he could even be a Supreme type.

Paul Townend after Ballyburn's first Grade 1 win at Leopardstown on February 4, 2024
He's a bit deceiving. Willie thought I was mad when I said he wasn't pulling too much the first day with him at Fairyhouse and he looked like he was pulling like a train. That's just the way he carries himself and I don't mind him doing that once if he keeps winning. It's a long way from the second-last to the line without a jump, but he was always going to stay galloping. He's tough.

Willie Mullins: "He's got a huge engine and I'm looking forward to whatever we do next. He's just a really exciting prospect"Credit: John Grossick

Joint-owner Ronnie Bartlett on February 8, 2024
He's turning into a very nice horse. After he won his first bumper at Punchestown, we were thinking about going to the Champion Bumper. But we decided to not go as we thought we'd be bringing him to Cheltenham too quick. I think that was important as he was very keen in his point-to-point and he was the same in his first couple of bumpers, but he's getting more mature now. We just didn't want to put the gun to his head in the first season we had him. I don't like getting too carried away, but he's going the right way.

Willie Mullins after Ballyburn's win in the Gallagher Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham on March 13, 2024
My heart hasn't skipped a beat jumping a hurdle since Annie Power but it did there. I thought he was a good horse but I didn't view him as the horse people were saying he was until today. When he jumped the last and went away up the hill I thought, 'Wow, this fellow could be anything'. He could be a Champion Hurdle horse or he could be a Gold Cup horse. He could be both. With his size, scope and pedigree he's made for fences, but he looks to have the ability to go for a Champion Hurdle.

Willie Mullins after Ballyburn completed a Grade 1 treble at Punchestown on May 3, 2024
He did it well. He's got a huge engine and I'm looking forward to whatever we do next. He's just a really exciting prospect. I was pleased with the way he got down and raced over the last two furlongs when it looked for a shade or two that he might get beaten. He's still not mature and is still racing too much throughout the race. Once he learns to settle more and use his power at the end of the race, I think he'll be a super horse.

Saturday previews:

2.10 Punchestown: Magic Morgiana in store as State Man attempts to repel two new challengers in Lossiemouth and Brighterdaysahead

2.30 Haydock: 'I didn't expect to be coming here' - Dan Skelton on his three runners in valuable staying handicap hurdle 

2.45 Ascot: 'He's been trained for the race and he escapes a penalty' - who has big hopes of landing the Ascot Hurdle? 

3.05 Haydock: 'I'd love to come away with a genuine Gold Cup horse' - Dan Skelton excited for Grey Dawning's Betfair Chase challenge 

3.20 Ascot: 'If it rains, his chances improve massively' - analysis and key quotes for the Hurst Park Handicap Chase

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