Erratic Koshari overcomes jumping issues to spearhead Mullins treble

Willie Mullins gave notice that his head-to-head battle with Gordon Elliott for the trainers' title has some way to go yet when he carded a treble to bring his seasonal tally of winners to 186 – just eight short of a personal best.

The highlight was the victory of the Robbie Power-ridden Koshari in the feature 2m4f chase, a race in which just three of the five runners finished – and how the winner was one of them will remain a mystery. His jumping was sketchy throughout and the fact he managed to negotiate the two fences in the straight was a minor miracle. He had enough of an engine though to account for Fine Theatre and the disappointing favourite Valseur Lido.

"He's not a natural jumper," said Mullins with admirable understatement, adding: "If we could find another race like that it would be ideal and we can go out in trip. It would be hard to see him fight out finishes at Punchestown! But he can race on during the summer too – nicer ground might suit him – and I think a longer trip over fences would also suit him."