'He was always in control' - Appreciate It sets up potential Jonbon clash

Punchestown: Last Chance 20% Off Beginners Chase, Monday

Appreciate It produced a faultless round of jumping in his first outing over fences to win the 2m beginners' chase at Punchestown.

Last seen when seventh in the Champion Hurdle in March, the Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner made every yard of the running to complete a quickfire treble for Paul Townend and Willie Mullins.

The eight-year-old has always been considered an exciting chase prospect and exhibited those credentials throughout, justifying 1-5 favouritism to see off the Gordon Elliott-trained Top Bandit.

"I asked him a big question at the last," said Townend. "It was a brilliant round of jumping. It's brilliant to get him back on the track."

Townend always believed Appreciate It would find enough, even when momentarily joined by Jack Kennedy and Top Bandit when approaching the last.

"He was filling himself up," said Townend. "He was having a look everywhere and not doing a lot. When Jack did come alongside us, and got competitive – he was always in control I felt."

Willie Mullins was delighted to see Appreciate It off the mark for the season and said his charge did little wrong throughout.

"Appreciate It did that nice," Mullins told Racing TV.

"He went out and did his own work in front. He was very idle up there. Jack Kennedy kept him on it over the last, I couldn't ask for any better."

The champion trainer admitted it might be too close to Christmas to see the three-time Grade 1 winner again in 2022, but he is almost certain to run again before Cheltenham.

"It looks too close to Christmas, but it was only two miles, so we'll see how he comes out of it," Mullins added. "We'll try to have a look at the Dublin Racing Festival."

When asked if the Arkle was the seasonal target for Appreciate It, Mullins agreed and said he has a number of candidates for the race.

"Totally, he could be one," Mullins said. "We have good horses there, I don't know if they're as good as him, but we'll give them the opportunity."

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