'We'll have a look at it' - Topham could be next for Blackbow after he bolts up

Tuesday: Clonmel

Cheltenham heroes Willie Mullins and Henry de Bromhead made their returns to an Irish racecourse for the first time since last week's exploits and found themselves in effectively sole opposition for the feature conditions chase on the card.

In the end it was no contest. Mullins' odds-on favourite Blackbow made all under Paul Townend, the De Bromhead-trained Spyglass Hill under Rachael Blackmore was in pursuit for the entire journey with the other three runners a fence behind at one stage.

From the third-last Blackbow began to press on and did nothing but extend his advantage all the way to the line, scoring by 36 lengths with Spyglass Hill a very tired second.

"That was a nice opportunity for him," said Mullins. "I had the Topham Trophy at Aintree in mind – it's a bit quick coming up but we'll have a look at it.

"He got things his own way a bit, but we would have to be happy. It will either be Aintree or Fairyhouse for him I would say."

Super win for Klarc Kent

Willie Mullins went on to complete a closing-race double when stable outsider Klarc Kent under Jody Townend prevailed in quite good style in the bumper.

The success did evoke memories of this meeting two years ago, the last one in Ireland before racing was shut down for three months due to the pandemic. It was a day where Mullins and Jody Townend also teamed up to win the bumper with Captain Kangaroo taking the scalp of Kilcruit no less.

Mullins also won this contest last year with Dysart Dynamo so he is clearly not averse to aiming a good one at it, although this time it was the unraced High City Roller under trainer's son Patrick who went off the 6-5 favourite, but he was very disappointing, finishing seventh of eight.

However, the presence of Klarc Kent shows why you run more than one, and this imposing son of Spanish Moon galloped all the way to the line to score by four and a quarter lengths from Suain Na Draoicht.

Mullins said: "It must be very dead and tacky ground out there. He had the strength and Jody said that when something came to him he galloped on again, and the extra two furlongs made a big difference.

"We'll probably give him a spin in a winners' bumper somewhere, but he's a real jumps horse and a real winter horse. I didn't think this track would suit him, and the only reason we came here is because there weren't any opportunities coming up for a while."

Willie Mullins: closed out the day with a doubleCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Elvin stings rivals

Phidelma Elvin had the ride on Big Bee Hive and she made it count when landing the 80-95 rated handicap hurdle on Philip Rothwell's five-year-old, although the pair were helped by the fall of Gargouille, who had cantered to the front only to come down at the second-last.

The winner was returned at 33-1, quite well-fancied compared to Elvin's previous victory against the professionals on 100-1 shot Josies Orders at Cork last Easter.

Results, replays and analysis

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