A magnificent seven Grade 1s for Willie Mullins as Blue Lord pips Coeur Sublime

Thursday: Barberstown Castle Novice Chase, Punchestown

It says everything about the level Paul Townend is riding to that, after snaring his fifth Grade 1 win of the week aboard Blue Lord in the Barberstown Novice Chase by only a head, the champion Irish jump jockey admitted he may have got to the front too soon aboard the winner.

It is well established Blue Lord doesn't have the greatest work ethic in the world but he is blessed with ability, and in forging to his second Grade 1 success of the season, provided Willie Mullins with his seventh top-level triumph of the Punchestown festival and proved some of his doubters wrong.

Stablemate Saint Sam set the fractions and appeared to be going best before clouting the second-last. It was at this point Rachael Blackmore seized the initiative on Coeur Sublime and while the bird appeared to have flown, Townend galvanised Blue Lord and served up a tantalising tussle to the line.

Watch Blue Lord fight out the finish in the Grade 1 novice chase at Punchestown

Mullins said: "I was concentrating more on the horse in front, Saint Sam, and how he was jumping. He was fiddling a few of his fences and I was left wondering if there was enough pace in the race for Blue Lord.

"They quickened a little bit at the fourth-last and I thought Saint Sam was running a cracker until he genuflected at the second last. I couldn't believe how much Paul pulled out of Blue Lord because I thought Coeur Subline had stolen the race between the last two.

"Paul told me that he didn't want to appear at the front too soon because Blue Lord looked all over the place when he got to the front in Irish Arkle. He did that again today – once he gets to the front, he loses concentration and thinks the race is all over."

Paul Townend celebrates on Blue Lord after winning at Punchestown on FridayCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

On future plans, the champion trainer revealed that Blue Lord may step up in trip and a return to Punchestown for the John Durkan Chase is under consideration as a starting point for next season.

"Paul is getting to know him better and the horse is improving and getting stronger," Mullins added. "I think he wants two and a half miles next season and, like most of mine, the John Durkan here could be a good race to start off in. Saint Sam will probably want two and a half miles too."

Results, replays and analysis

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