Sharjah strikes for Mullins in Ryanair Hurdle as Samcro disappoints again

Another big-race win for Willie Mullins, but not with the one the betting suggested as Sharjah, ridden by the trainer's son Patrick, upset the market principals to make it three wins in his last four starts at odds of 6-1.

The progressive five-year-old, who had won the Galway Hurdle and the Morgiana Hurdle this year, came from off the pace to take it up approaching the last before holding off Supasundae to win by three-quarters of a length, with Tombstone third and the winner's favoured stablemate Melon in fourth.

Samcro travelled well and hit the front turning for home, but he was left completely flat-footed after the last and faded to finish fifth.

Bookmakers quickly reacted to what was another surprise result over the Christmas period, with Paddy Power going 10-1 (from 33) about the winner for the Champion Hurdle.

Watch Sharjah's victory here

Always travelling well, Patrick Mullins took the wide route turning in, but his mount's turn of foot quickly took him to the front and a sound jump at the last ensured there was no chance of him being caught.

Willie Mullins suggested afterwards Sharjah could head straight to the festival without another run. He said: "That sort of ground makes a big difference to him – Patrick said the horse really enjoyed the conditions.

"That's his third big-race win this year and while he'll be entered for the Irish Champion Hurdle, we might decide to go straight to Cheltenham [for the Champion Hurdle].

"He's a much improved horse and this win more than makes up for what happened to him at this meeting last year, when he fell at the last after looking set to win a Grade 1 novice."

Mullins added: "It's been an up-and-down meeting for us but that's our third Grade 1 win of the week so we can't complain. Obviously I'm delighted for Patrick and the owners, who had been out of luck this week."

Sharjah (pink): jumped the last flight in front en route to landing the prize

Patrick Mullins became the first amateur rider to win the event since his father rode Grabel to victory 30 years ago.

Of Melon, Mulllins added: "The mistake he made in the back straight put paid to his chance but like a lot of our horses this season, he should come on for the run."

Elliott to get Samcro checked out

As for Samcro, his Champion Hurdle claims are surely now in tatters. He looked like he might have the world at his feet at the start of the season, but this was a fourth straight defeat, all of them as favourite.

His trainer Gordon Elliott said: "I don't know what went wrong. I haven't a clue. We'll have him checked out and see if anything comes to light."

Paddy Power make Samcro a 20-1 (from 7-1) for the Champion Hurdle.

Supasundae back on track

Jessica Harrington said of runner-up Supasundae: "I'm delighted with him. He got squeezed on the final bend and it's hard to get a horse going again when that happens.

"But he stayed on well and he'll come back here for the Irish Champion Hurdle in February, and will be entered for the Champion and the Stayers at Cheltenham."

EXPERT VIEW

Samcro is a busted flush over hurdles but we can't keep talking down Sharjah. Faugheen's display prior to his fall on Friday complimented Sharjah's Morgiana triumph, and this was an another utterly authoritative performance.

With his confidence restored, he is on a serious upward curve again and destroyed a fair yardstick in Supasundae. A top price of 14-1 for the Champion Hurdle looks a cracking each-way option.

Richard Forristal

Faugheen 'a bit stiff and sore'

Faugheen, who crashed out at the second last in the Grade 1 Squared Financial Christmas Hurdle on Friday when trying to close on Apple's Jade, was reported to be "a bit stiff and sore" by trainer Willie Mullins.

The trainer said: "Faugheen was led out this morning. It was a heavy fall but apart from him being a bit stiff and sore, our vets think he's otherwise okay. He'll have an easy week to ten days but, hopefully, he'll be fine."

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