Fortune favours Zarak The Brave as he takes Galway Hurdle thriller for Paul Townend and Willie Mullins

Punters' collective faith in Willie Mullins might have wavered a fraction at the sight of a JP McManus steamer, but the irrepressible Closutton maestro once again demonstrated why such fervid allegiance exists in the first place by producing Zarak The Brave to edge a thrilling Guinness Galway Hurdle under Paul Townend.

Backed from 10-1 last weekend into as low as 3-1, Zarak The Brave returned an SP of 9-2 after the money came for McManus's Glan, who got in as a third reserve on Wednesday. From double-figure odds, the Gordon Elliott-trained mare was sent off the 4-1 favourite for a ferociously competitive running of the €270,000 cavalry charge. However, she never threatened to justify that move before being pulled up two out.

For the fifth time since 2016 and a sixth time in all, it was Elliott's nemesis who plundered the spoils, this time with a massively unexposed four-year-old who could yet be a Champion Hurdle contender. And in Townend, Mullins had the most reliable of allies.

Having gone on two out in a race that was run at a blistering pace, the partnership looked to be there for the taking when first My Mate Mozzie and then Jesse Evans came with wet sails on his outside inside the distance.

Townend galvanised his mount, though, and it turns out the handicap debutant is as game as he is gifted. At the post, he thrust a head clear of the Noel Meade-trained Jesse Evans, who was being cruelly consigned to the runner-up berth for a second year in a row, with My Mate Mozzie just behind in third and Icare Allen keeping on to be fourth. The 2019 and 2022 hero Tudor City ran a nice race to finish eighth, but he could not quite lay a glove on the principals.

Having been placed in juvenile Grade 1s behind stablemates Lossiemouth and Gala Marceau at Punchestown and Auteuil, Zarak The Brave's potential was clear. Nonetheless, this was just his fifth start over flights so to defy 11st 5lb and become the first of his age group to win the race since Perugino Diamond in 2000 suggests he is a horse of significant potential.

"That's a class performance," Mullins gushed afterwards. "You’ve got to look at him now as a Champion Hurdle contender."

Paul Townend celebrates his Galway Hurdle success on Zarak The Brave

Paul Townend is all smiles following his Galway Hurdle success on Zarak The BraveCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Pinch Hitter, which Meade trained to win two Galway Hurdles, was the last four-year-old prior to Perugino Diamond to win the race back in 1982. Mullins was not shy about talking up this fellow's scope.

"It's something for a four-year-old to win the race, that says something of how tough the horse is. I thought he was beaten, and it's tough on Noel. I thought Jesse Evans had come to beat him and Paul said to me that he thought he was beaten, too, but when he gave him a smack and changed his whip, the horse got down and galloped again, so that shows how brave he is."

Owners Simon Munir and Isaac Soeude, who enjoyed Plate success with Elliott's Borice in 2019, were both present to witness their charge triumph. Where he goes next is yet to be decided.

Mullins said: "We are delighted today came off and that Simon and Isaac were over here. Isaac came from holidays in Alaska to be here and Simon came from the south of France. I have no other plan in my mind for the horse right now.

"Would you look at the Morgiana straight away or maybe a Fishery Lane at Naas first?" the trainer added. "He's a lightly raced four-year-old so maybe something like that."

Of Townend, who burst on to the scene when winning his first and only previous Galway Hurdle as a 5lb claiming 17-year-old on John Kiely's Indian Pace in 2008, Mullins said: "I thought Paul was fantastic on the horse, getting him out and getting a position. It seems that is what you have to do here and he did it brilliantly."

Townend is defined by his cool demeanour. It was evident in the aftermath again here, although being reminded of that halcyon day 15 years earlier brought a smile to his face. "I thought the game was easy back then," he quipped. "I found out since that it's a little bit harder!"

Of his 2023 winning partner, he added: "It was a tough performance. He has pulled out a lot up the run-in. He was really brave and was there for me when I needed him."

Sean Flanagan was dejected but magnanimous after going so close on Jesse Evans. Fourth in 2021, Meade's charge went closer than ever but still came away defeated.

"It was still a great weight-carrying performance from a very gutsy horse," the rider said. "Paul thought I might have briefly headed him, but his mount had a little bit less weight and is more unexposed and battled back. He's probably a very good horse."

That is certainly starting to look the case now. The only wonder is the public ever doubted the man training him. Turns out he really does know what he is doing.

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