Bachasson continues Mullins Clonmel domination as odds-on stablemate beaten

As the market predicted, Willie Mullins dominated Thursday's Clonmel Oil Chase, and there was probably not too much surprise when the bold-jumping Bachasson ran the finish out of stablemate and odds-on favourite Cilaos Emery.

The front-running winner earned Ryanair Chase quotes in the aftermath of his Grade 2 win but that route appears unlikely, while Ireland's champion trainer was clear expectations for the runner-up do not end in the second week of November.

Bachasson was last seen winning a conditions chase at this track on the last day before the first lockdown in March, and he set out in similar fashion here, making all and not seeing another rival in scoring by five-and-a-half lengths under David Mullins.

Cilaos Emery under Paul Townend jumped sloppily at times and, while he managed briefly to close on the downhill run to the straight, he was unable to make any impression when it counted.

Race result and replay

The winner earned an introductory 33-1 quote from Paddy Power for the Ryanair Chase, but according to the champion trainer that is not the likeliest road Bachasson will travel.

He said: “After he fell in the Gold Cup two seasons ago I was not very keen on going back over fences with him, but around these country tracks he's fine, maybe not so much on the bigger tracks. He seems to enjoy himself doing that.

"We will try and find similar races for him and I will mix it a lot over hurdles with him. He might even run in Al Boum Photo's race at Tramore, I've to go down there that day!”

He added: “It was a very good performance, David had lots of confidence in him to send him on so far out, maybe more than I had.”

Willie Mullins: Clonmel Oil Chase winners

2020 Bachasson
2019 Douvan
2018 Kemboy
2016 Alelchi Inois
2014 Champagne Fever
2013 Arvika Ligeonniere

Mullins expressed himself as satisfied with the performance of Cilaos Emery, who was campaigned mostly over fences last season before reverting to hurdles in the spring and finishing a creditable fourth to Epatante in the Champion Hurdle.

He said: “I was happy with him. Paul Townend thought he needed the race but they both pulled well clear. We wanted to come down here and see where we were with him and I think he'll improve hugely for the run.

"There is a good possibility that he will drop back to two miles now and run in the Hilly Way Chase at Cork next month. I'm thinking of staying over fences with him for the foreseeable future, unless we have to switch to Plan B for some reason.”

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