Hennessy master Mullins strikes with Quel Esprit

Report: Leopardstown, Sunday

Hennessy Gold Cup (Grade 1) 5yo+, 3m

QUEL ESPRIT gave trainer Willie Mullins an eighth Hennessy Gold Cup success with a swashbuckling front-running performance under Ruby Walsh.

The win is likely to secure Quel Esprit's participation in the Betfred-sponsored Cheltenham Gold Cup, for which Stan James go 20-1 (from 25) and the sponsors go just 14-1 (from 20).

However, the depleted Hennessy field may deter punters from rushing to snap up those odds. Grade 1 winners Quito De La Roque, Synchronised and Jessies Dream all dropped out the race in the run-up to Sunday, leaving just six rivals for the 5-4 favourite to face.

And the mere two lengths Quel Esprit beat Roberto Goldback in second is unlikely to give connections of Kauto Star and Long Run any sleepless nights.

But Walsh, who barring disaster will ride Kauto Star at Cheltenham, insisted the eight-year-old had earned his place in the line-up.

"He came into this a 150-rated horse and he's probably a 160-rated horse now but he still has to improve another stone to compete with the likes of Long Run and Kauto Star. But he's won a Hennessy and he's entitled to run in a Gold Cup," said Walsh.

Regardless of what follows, it was another triumph for Mullins, who won the race last year with Kempes, and Walsh, winning the race for the first time for Mullins having previously taken the race on the Paul Nicholls-trained Neptune Collonges.

Walsh set the pace on Quel Esprit and defied his mount's reputation by turning in a clean round of jumping on the grey.

Bostons Angel accompanied the favourite in the early stages but failed to go with him when the hard work began. China Rock and Follow The Plan made some ground but only Roberto Goldback came with a run that looked like challenging the favourite, but he was ultimately well held.

Mullins said: "Ruby gave him a very brave ride. He got him jumping and galloping and the horse threw in a few fabulous leaps when he needed to.

"We always thought he was a fantastic jumper at home and we were surprised when he fell a couple of times last year. He had a wind operation, which might have helped, or it could be that he's a stronger, moremature horse this season.

"The likelihood is that we'll have a crack at the Gold Cup."