'It’s the size of the heart that counts' - Bachasson helps Mullins to a double

If there is one snag to winning 18 races, including six Grade 1s over the festive season, it is that there is nowhere open to go out and celebrate.

Not that Willie Mullins will mind too much. The champion trainer had more reasons to toast the new year by sending out a double in the driving snow at Punchestown.

The opening leg was achieved with Stones And Roses, owned by well-known Irish singer Paddy Reilly and his son Ciaran, in the 3m1f handicap chase.

Mullins said: “It’s great to get that for Paddy and Ciaran. He’s improving and is a real old fashioned staying chaser. Extended trips are what he likes and he jumps for fun. He’ll probably come back here for the Grand National Trial.”

Mullins added: “I’m delighted to give Brian [Hayes] a winner. He’s an integral part of our yard for schooling and riding work.”

Bachasson faced a straightforward task in the feature 2m3½f hurdle, a race the grey won in 2018, and it seldom looked as if he would not collect from the front under Paul Townend.

Mullins, who sent out a one-two with Scarpeta following home his stablemate, said: “I was hoping he’d jump a bit better but Paul said he was just idle out in front on his own.

"We’ll mix it between hurdles and fences for the rest of the season and probably keep him down the country over fences.

“He’s not a big horse but it’s the size of the heart that counts and not the size of the horse. He’s been a good servant and the O’Connells have been lucky owners over the years. Scarpeta improved from his last run, so he might be coming back to himself.”

Morans have another good one as Elliott doubles up

It may not have been the Christmas Gordon Elliott was hoping for with some of his galaxy of stars disappointing at Leopardstown and Limerick, but owners Noel and Valerie Moran had a fine week, ending on a high with Riviere D'Etel, their fourth winner over the festive period.

Gordon Elliott: landed a double with Riviere D'Etel and Humble GloryCredit: Patrick McCann

Riviere D'Etel made all in the juvenile maiden hurdle under Jack Kennedy, confirming herself a bright prospect for the same connections as Triumph Hurdle favourite Zanahiyr.

Kennedy said: “She can be a little bit keen but she was nice and relaxed today. I felt her starting to run with me a bit and rather than fight with her I let her off.”

He added: “She’s a big galloper and she stayed galloping all the way to the line and did it well. She’s going to have to step up in class now but she couldn’t have done any more today.”

If there was any nervousness in the camp about the wellbeing of some of the inmates, the ship was steadied when Humble Glory battled to win the bumper under Jamie Codd to bring up a double on the day for Elliott, whose tally for the Christmas period was eight winners.

Results, replays and analysis

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