Racing

Morning Run sees off Lyrical Theatre to maintain unbeaten run

Willie Mullins continues big race dominance as Gitane Du Berlais cruises home at Sandown

Daryl Jacob riding Gitane Du Berlais to victory in The Betfred TV Scilly Isles Novices’ Steeple Chase at Sandown. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)
Daryl Jacob riding Gitane Du Berlais to victory in The Betfred TV Scilly Isles Novices’ Steeple Chase at Sandown. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)
Sat Jan 31 2015 - 15:43

Fairyhouse Morning Run improved her 100 per cent record over the smaller obstacles to three when making most of the running in the Solerina Mares Novice Hurdle.

Ruby Walsh took the Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old to the front after Melbourne Lady had been the first to leave the gate.

Morning Run (4-5 favourite) had her rivals on the stretch some way out and there was only stablemate Lyrical Theatre who was able to muster any kind of bid.

However, a mistake at the last ruined any chance she had and Morning Run scampered away to win comfortably.

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Carrigmoorna Rock was expected to be Morning Run’s main danger in the Grade Three heat, but she never struck a blow and was most disappointing.

Mullins said: “She was coming back from a bit of a setback as she had a cold and missed Christmas. I wondered if this was too soon and I was delighted with the way the two of them ran.

“There was a doubt about running either of them, but there wasn’t much else, bar going to England with them, so we said we’d run the two and take the chance.

"This mare (Morning Run) seems to be going from strength to strength. I'd say we'll come back here for the Grade One with the two of them rather than going to Cheltenham. That looks the shrewder plan."

Willie Mullins continued his big-race domination as Gitane Du Berlais made the journey from Ireland to claim the Betfred TV Scilly Isles Novices' Chase at Sandown.

Straight to the front in the hands of Daryl Jacob, she bowled along willingly, jumping well in the process.

Champagne West sat in the rear for the early part of the journey but fell when taking closer order some way out, while Splash Of Ginge was never really fluent and eventually pulled up.

Favourite Irish Saint was left as the main threat and while Sam Twiston-Davies was at work on the Paul Nicholls-trained runner three out, a good jump at the second-last kept him in it.

However, Gitane Du Berlais (9-2) had plenty left and after safely negotiating the final fence she stayed on well up the Esher hill to take Grade One honours by eight lengths.