Duc Des Genievres blitzes the field to romp home in Racing Post Arkle

Willie Mullins was able to celebrate a double in the opening races of the festival when Duc Des Genievres powered clear to win a messy Racing Post Arkle by 13 lengths.

The six-year-old relished the soft ground under Paul Townend and started to seize the initiative after long-time leader Ornua brought down Kalashnikov at the sixth fence.

Mullins, who had won the opener with Klassical Dream, said: "The ground changed the horse completely. He showed signs of the potential he showed over hurdles early on in his career.

“When Paul switched him from the inside to the outside everything went right for him. I knew if he kept jumping he had a good chance. He held his position at the top of the hill, jumped impeccably and motored home – it looked like a schooling session for him.

“We thought he might have wanted a little further but after that performance we won’t be in a rush to step him up in trip, although he might want further on good ground."

Tom Kerr: presents Willie Mullins with the Racing Post Arkle Challenge TrophyCredit: Edward Whitaker

His trainer, who won last year’s race with Footpad, added: “I didn’t dream of making a start like this. I thought Klassical Dream would go close, but I gave Duc Des Genievres only an each-way chance.

“It’s been a very lucky track for us and hopefully it’ll stay that way. We’re delighted to have two winners, but there’s a lot to come over four days between the bad weather and everything else.”

Bad luck, however, was to follow for the Mullins camp, when Benie Des Dieux came down at the last in the Mares' Hurdle with the race at her mercy.

Townend could not believe how well Duc Des Genievres, who raced in the colours of Jared Sullivan, travelled.

“He had a dream run round and handled the ground very well," said Townend. "He took a nice leap forward when winning a beginners’ chase on his last start and has improved again. He was foot-perfect.”

It was an Irish 1-2-3 with the Joseph O’Brien-trained Us And Them – last seen finishing behind sidelined long-time Arkle favourite and stablemate Le Richebourg – a remote second.

The trainer said: “He ran an absolute blinder. The start was messy but he stayed on very well. I couldn’t have asked for much more.”

He was chased home by 25-1 shot Articulum, trainer Terence O’Brien’s first runner at the festival, with Clondaw Castle finishing fourth, earning connections £9,679.92, so covering the £8,500 it cost to supplement him for the race.

Terence O’Brien said: “I felt a bit like a gladiator going into the lion’s den and I suppose it gives all the smaller lads hope. I bought this horse myself at the Derby Sale a few years ago. I had a budget of about €15,000 but couldn’t afford anything all day until this fella came along – and I bought him for €9,000.

“If I owned him myself I probably would have sold him, but every road has a turn and this worked out brilliantly. Hopefully, we’ll win next year!”

Duc Des Genievres: rampant Racing Post Arkle winnerCredit: Edward Whitaker

The British challenge was hit hard at the fourth fence when the well-backed Glen Forsa unseated Jonathan Burke, suffered another blow when Kalashnikov unseated Jack Quinlan at the sixth, and then Lalor – attempting a poignant win for trainer Kayley Woollacott – was pulled up after the ninth.

Lalor's jockey Richard Johnson said: "He was squeezed going to the third and didn't go from that point. I don't think it was the ground. For whatever reason, he just hasn't shown his form."

Hardline was well supported and started 100-30 favourite but failed to land a blow under Davy Russell. He was seventh of the eight who finished, 12 having set out.

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