Mullins expects 'huge improvement' from Chacun Pour Soi after smooth Cork return

The scene at Punchestown may have been foggy and uncertain on Sunday, but Chacun Pour Soi made it crystal clear at Cork that he is the most exciting two-mile chaser in Ireland, picking up where he left off in February with a decisive success in the Kerry Group Hilly Way Chase.

What had already looked a straightforward task for the Willie Mullins-trained Betway Champion Chase favourite at declaration time became even more manageable before racing got under way on soft to heavy ground at the Mallow venue, with Sizing Pottsie and Chosen Mate withdrawn due to stone bruises and Daly Tiger ruled out as a result of a temperature.

The reduced field saw last season's Dublin Chase winner sent off 1-5 for his seasonal reappearance in Grade 2 company, giving 8lb to 156-rated stablemate Cash Back, and he was never required to propel himself into top gear against a trio of challengers.

He approached his fences with enthusiasm in the early stages and had to dance in front of the boards on a couple of occasions, putting himself right under a composed Paul Townend.

Front-runners Djingle and Cash Back looked to be under the Susannah Ricci-owned performer's control before the third-last when he got in a little tight, but Chacun Pour Soi asserted again with ease to take command approaching the second-last, throwing in a superb leap at the last for good measure.

Paul Townend (left): 'He just had that bit of class. He took a good blow and I think he'll come on plenty for it'

The same could not be said for Cash Back, who took a heavy fall at the final fence under Danny Mullins, bringing down Djingle and leaving Darasso, who was never dangerous in the rear, to pick up second as the only other finisher. Thankfully all walked away seemingly unscathed.

"It was a great start for him," said Townend after the 19-length triumph on Chacun Pour Soi's first start since missing the Champion Chase on the morning of the race due to a foot abscess.

"He was fairly asleep early on in the race and got a good blow into himself. He had the other two well beaten when they fell at the last and was entitled to win. Thankfully he did and it's good to get him back on the track."

Watch Chacun Pour Soi make a winning return at Cork

He added: "Touch wood, his jumping is deadly – I don't want to put the mockers on him. He's very good. The other two have to show their hands earlier with the way they race, there was no hiding place, he just had that bit of class. He took a good blow and I think he'll come on plenty for it.

"He's a classy individual and down the straight I was able to go where I wanted. A couple of good jumps and it was put to bed. I couldn't be happier overall. He showed a big engine when he won at Leopardstown last season and beat Min. Fingers crossed we can keep him in one piece and he could have some unfinished business."

Chacun Pour Soi may have been having only his fifth outing since coming over from France more than four and a half years ago, but the star chaser could see his Champion Chase odds harden with another top-level success at Leopardstown over Christmas, having been cut already from a top-priced 4-1 to 5-2 and 3-1 for Cheltenham glory.

"I was hoping he might win a bit easier, but he needed it," said Mullins. "I had done just enough with him to complete the job. There is huge improvement to come and that will bring him on loads."

He added: "I'm a creature of habit so I would imagine we will head back to Leopardstown at Christmas with him now and chart the same course to the Champion Chase as last year."

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