Lazy at home but alive on track, Cavallino's class gets him through

Every club has one. The lazy fellow who spends more time in the chip shop than he does on the training pitch, but by the time the championship rolls around he outshines the lads who have been training all year.

Cavallino is the equine equivalent. He may not be the most enthusiastic of characters but his class got him through.

Trained by Willie Mullins, Cavallino showed all the hallmarks of the horse who will be even better once he gets over fences, as he gave his hurdles plenty of air on his way to victory under Conor McNamara.

That was rather ironic, as Cavallino didn’t jump at all well on his previous two starts, but he’s clearly a horse who is warming to the task.

McNamara said: “It just didn’t happen for him at Punchestown the last day for one reason or another, and he is a bit of a lazy type who is better with a lead. He battled it out well.

“His jumping was a bit better. He was unlucky to miss the last at Tramore two starts ago when he looked like he’d have won but for the mistake.

“He stayed and galloped well up the hill. He’s made plenty of money as a store and hopefully will jump a fence in time.”

25-1 and no shock

NaturalNatural Breeze may have been 25-1, but Philip Rothwell insisted there was no surprise about his victory in the 2m2½f handicap hurdle under James O’Sullivan. Rather the opposite, as Rothwell’s confidence belied the starting price.

The winning trainer said: “It was no surprise. He’s a summer horse, the trip suited and I told James we had a great chance.

“He ran a lovely race over three miles at Listowel last year when he didn’t quite stay. These little tracks suit him and he’ll probably end up in those conditions chases later in the year.”

Results, replays and analysis

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