Easy return for Energumene as Champion Chase contender strolls home in Hilly Way

Willie Mullins landed the Kerry Group Hilly Way Chase for the 13th time as last season's top-class novice Energumene started his season on a winning note, only a few minutes after Allaho had led home a stable one-two-three in the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase.

Competing in open company for the first time, Energumene was taken on for the lead by market rival Notebook in the back straight and both horses were racing from some way out, but it was Notebook who suffered as he dropped away entering the straight and left the 1-3 favourite in full control. He scored by eight and a half lengths, ahead of Daly Tiger and Sizing Pottsie, who both kept on from off the pace.

The winner was shortened fractionally to 3-1 second favourite (from 7-2) with Paddy Power for the Queen Mother Champion Chase behind Shishkin and, as far as the bookmakers are concerned, he is the stable's main hope for the Cheltenham feature after the eclipse of Chacun Pour Soi in Saturday's Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown. The latter is a general 10-1 shot for the Champion Chase.

Energumene's victory was the highlight of a memorable afternoon for Sean O'Keeffe, who was given the opportunity to ride some high-class Mullins runners and landed a treble, having earlier struck with Dysart Dynamo in the second division of the maiden hurdle and Concertista in the Grade 2 mares' novice chase. The 1-14 shot Kilcruit was the only one to disappoint on the afternoon.

Sean O'Keeffe with Energumene after their success at CorkCredit: David Keane (racingpost.com/photos)

Speaking after Energumene's win, O'Keeffe said: “I'm very grateful to Willie for having the confidence in me to put me up on good horses like this. It's great that the horse went and did that. He's definitely a top horse and this was a good starting point for him. Notebook took me on in the back straight but he was always very good in his jumping even when we were racing a bit and he'll come on plenty for that run. It was a good performance.”

Mullins' assistant David Casey said: “You would have to be delighted with that. Sean said they went very quick early and they ended up racing all the way down the back, but his class told in the end and he won very easily.

“But for being taken on he would have been very impressive, but Notebook took him on and he finished last having had a run. Sean was very impressed and he'll improve loads. At the moment there's no need to go further with him but we know he does stay.”

Hilly Way Chase result and replay

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