Classic Getaway takes spoils from Minella Cocooner on eyecatching chase debut

Saturday: Gowran Park

Classic Getaway got his chasing career off to the perfect start, being slashed from 50-1 to 12-1 for the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase with Betfair after an eyecatching success.

The 8-1 shot outfought stablemate Minella Cocooner, the evens favourite, to join an illustrious roll of honour in the Noreside Catering Beginners Chase. He galloped to the line impressively, scoring by two and three-quarter lengths in a 1-2-3 for champion trainer Willie Mullins that was completed by distant third Whatdeawant.

The highly touted Journey With Me, a 2-1 shot for Henry de Bromhead, fell two out and from there Danny Mullins was confident Classic Getaway could reel in front-runner Minella Cocooner.

“We levelled off at the back of the ditch at the second-last. I thought going down to the last, if I can get a nice jump here, I’ll beat him,” said Mullins.

“You have a Grade 1 horse in Minella Cocooner and more Grade 1 horses just on my tail – my lad hadn’t fulfilled that potential last season, but to see him put down his head and gallop to the line was nice today.”

Owned by Cheveley Park Stud, Classic Getaway became the fifth Mullins-trained winner of the race in nine years, joining Don Poli, Bellshill, Laurina and Energumene.

The trainer believed the favourite was "unlucky" but added: “Take nothing from the winner. He travelled the whole way and jumped well. He had the benefit of getting a lead but came through and did everything right.”

Inothewayurthinkin impresses

Inothewayurthinkin battled back from a poor jump two out to land the PRL Group Novice Hurdle, a race previously won by the likes of Douvan and Sharjah, by half a length for Gavin Cromwell.

JP McManus's four-year-old is 20-1 (from 40) with Paddy Power for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham after seeing off the Gordon Elliott-trained Imagine and Spanish Harlem, a €360,000 summer purchase for Willie Mullins.

Cromwell said: "He’s still a baby but I’m delighted with that. He improved from Cork and did his job a bit better today. He’s entered in the Grade 1 novices at Christmas.”

Deegan double

Richie Deegan rode a 40-1 double courtesy of Yabo (7-2) and Marelly (8-1).

After Yabo's runaway win in the 2m4f beginners' chase, trainer Liz Doyle said: “The owners are Ciss and Ned Power. Ciss isn't well at the moment, so we’re thinking of her. It’s great for them.”

Star turn

Oliver McKiernan’s 2-1 shot Kalanisi Star battled on gamely under Phillip Enright to see off Willie Mullins’ odds-on Pink In The Park in the 2m maiden hurdle.

“If the ground is soft enough, we’ll probably go to Leopardstown,” said the winning trainer.

Thyestes bound

Gordon Elliott had his 35th winner of the month when Dunboyne ran out a comfortable ten-length winner of the 2m4f handicap chase.

The trainer said the seven-year-old relished the soft surface and is likely to return here for the Thyestes Chase in January.

Results, replays and analysis

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