Capodanno overcomes shuddering error as Gaillard Du Mesnil beaten on chase debut

Thursday: Naas

Willie Mullins showed again the advantage of being able to run more than one in a race when stable second string Capodanno ran out an impressive winner of the 2m3f beginners' chase.

It is a race that will be talked about at least as much for the defeat of stablemate Gaillard Du Mesnil, a dual Grade 1-winning novice hurdler who went off 4-11, but the Jody McGarvey-ridden winner would certainly have been an unlucky loser.

While Gaillard Du Mesnil came with every chance at the second-last under Paul Townend, Capodanno ploughed through the fence and seemed to lose his chance.

McGarvey stayed patient, though, and jumped the last much better before his mount picked up well on the far side inside the last 50 yards to score quite cosily by a length and a quarter. The front-running Embrun Mitja was second, with Gaillard Du Mesnil unable to pick up in third, beaten two lengths.

How Capodanno recovered from an error that seemed to rob him of all chance

Capodanno (third from right): goes down on his nose after a blunder at the second-last

Jockey Jody McGarvey manages to maintain the partnership and keeps Capodanno on an even keel

Despite the error, Capodanno flies home to beat Embrun Mitja and Gaillard Du Mesnil

"He put up a tremendous performance after that mistake at the second-last. It seems he will be a much better chaser than hurdler," said Mullins of the winner.

Asked whether he was disappointed with the performance of the favourite, he said: "He was a little disappointing, although he might have just wanted the run. He'll come on for that. I don't imagine he'll have to go up in trip and we could possibly make more use of him."

Townend boosts tally

For Paul Townend, defeat on Gaillard Du Mesnil was his first reverse since returning to the saddle at Fairyhouse last Saturday. Before that loss, victories in two of the maiden hurdles for Willie Mullins meant he had ridden five winners in a row.

The champion jockey came in for the spare ride on Hawai Game in the opening 2m3f maiden hurdle, taking over after intended rider Mark Walsh injured his wrist in a schooling fall earlier in the day.

Walsh is expected back by Christmas and will enjoy riding Hawai Game in future. JP McManus's four-year-old raced very keenly and jumped erratically at times in landing this race but showed a good turn of foot and looks exciting.

The jumping and galloping of Brandy Love in the mares' maiden hurdle made her a far more straightforward ride for Townend. After her ten-length victory she was cut to 8-1 (from 16) by Paddy Power for the Mares' Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Excellence lands touch

The previously unheralded Routine Excellence was backed from 33-1 into 11-4 favouritism before landing the 2m3f maiden hurdle for Gavin Cromwell.

The son of Getaway had not come close to the standards his name suggests in five previous starts under rules, but on his first run since March he travelled like the best horse and picked up well from the final flight under Keith Donoghue.

Routine Excellence (left) and Keith Donoghue win the 2m3f maiden hurdleCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

The five-year-old scored by four and a half lengths from the front-running Salmanino, although his task was made easier by his main challenger Bonnie Kellie coming down at the last when having every chance.

"He's a grand horse. He hadn't run since March and he came back to us a different horse. I was very happy with him and thought he would go close today, so we'll see what the handicapper does now," said Cromwell.

Asked if he had a punt himself, he replied: "Unfortunately not. Somebody was a bit quicker than me."

Derwin banned

Amateur Kate Derwin was given a ten-day ban after she was found not to have ridden My Boy Bob to achieve the best possible placing under rule 212. The 14-1 shot finished a running-on third, beaten nine lengths behind Saga Aravis, in the qualified riders' handicap hurdle.

Trainer Tony Martin's explanations were noted while My Boy Bob escaped a ban.

Results, replays and analysis

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Upping The Ante star Gavin Lynch joins the Racing Post roster for a weekly Saturday column throughout the jumps season. He'll offer a guide to the weekend action, highlight the horses and races to watch and share his punting wisdom. Read it every Saturday in the Racing Post or online from 4pm every Friday, exclusively for Members' Club subscribers. Sign up to Members' Club here for more top jumps season insight.