Willie Mullins Targets Sussex Champion Hurdle with Absurde
Leading trainer Willie Mullins made a significant impact at Plumpton’s meeting, sending out four runners in the Sussex Champion Hurdle, with Absurde taking the spoils. The seven-year-old gelding, ridden by Harry Cobden, led home a one-two finish for the yard, reducing the deficit between Mullins and Dan Skelton in the British jumps trainers’ championship.
According to the Racing Post, Absurde’s performance was authoritative, with the gelding outclassing the field and winning by four and a quarter lengths from stablemate Daddy Long Legs. This victory marked another success for Mullins, who has been in impressive form this season.
Harry Cobden, who has now ridden for Mullins just three times, expressed his delight at the partnership’s continued success, stating: “I’m two from three for Willie now, I’ll take that. I should probably quit while I’m ahead. Paul [Nicholls] had one in the race with a very light weight, which I’d struggle to do, so he let me off him to ride this lad. It’s great, we all work together and I’ve got a good agent in Sam Stronge. He sorts the job out, I just turn up and ride them.”
Cobden also praised Absurde, saying: “The plan was to jump in and get him settled as he’s had a tendency to be keen in the past. They went nice and fast early, so I didn’t have any problems there and he jumped brilliantly. When you’re on a horse with so much class it’s almost easy. He’s got so many options, you’d have a lot of fun owning him.”
The Racing Post also reported that Dan Skelton had some consolation in the following 2m3½f handicap chase, when Shakeyatailfeather prevailed in a photo-finish to win for the second time in four days.
In other news, Jasmine D’Airy finally lived up to her promise in the opening mares’ maiden hurdle, with an emphatic success under Ben Sutton. The odds-on favourite had been second on her last two starts but finally struck on British soil, winning by 24 lengths after a round of enthusiastic jumping.
Trainer Harry Derham expressed his relief at finally getting a win from Jasmine D’Airy, stating: “She’s been a bit frustrating all season. We changed her bit today and Ben said that’s the nicest ride he’s had off her. I’m delighted for Nick [Sutton, owner] and Ben as we’ve had three seconds, so it’s great to finally have that winner.”
My Friend Sean continued his impressive form in the 2m1½f handicap hurdle, delivering his fourth win in five starts. Cameron Iles, who partnered the horse to victory, praised his ability, saying: “He’s been brilliant. We don’t know his ceiling as we didn’t think he was well handicapped six months ago, but he’s won four times since. It’s taken him a long time to get into this rhythm but he’s gotten a lot better with time.”
The Racing Post provides comprehensive coverage of horse racing news and events. For more information, visit their website.
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