Before we get the full blast of Storm Frank, it was Storm Elliott and Mullins at Leopardstown this afternoon.
The Meath trainer saddled the winner in the first of two Grade One’s this afternoon, the Squared Financial Christmas Hurdle with his mount Prince of Scars.
Just five horses made the start and when Snow Falcon was an early faller, it was left to Alpha Des Obeaux to lead the chasers.
Heading towards the finish Davy Russell snuck up on the leading pair of Martello Tower and the long term leader, and under the guidance of the Corkman, the Gordon Elliot mount took the win.
A four length win at odds of 10/1 was a serious victory for bookies with Arctic Fire in his first trip at this distance, struggling and bringing up the rear.
Prince of Scars is now likely to be placed in the running for the World Hurdle at Cheltenham, but Elliott is understood to be keen on a longer term plan for the chaser.
The progress Prince of Scars has made since joining Gordon Elliot's yard is bordering on scary.
— Phil Thompson (@PhilThompson_OT) December 28, 2015
The second race of the afternoon proved more worthy for punters as Don Poli grunted his way to a win in a six-horse field in the Grade One Lexus Chase at 4/6f.
The three miles really tested the Bryan Cooper mount with On His Own and runner-up First Lieutenant putting in decent shifts to make for an exciting finish heading towards the last.
Davy Russell pushed the winner all the way with the Ted Walsh Foxrock coming home third as Don Poli looks certain to be a key interest for Irish fans in the Gold Cup in just over three months time.
Don Poli gets the job done in yet another cracker of a Lexus Chase @LeopardstownRC. https://t.co/poBlaX1xnL
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) December 28, 2015
The win was Mullins’ first ever Lexus Chase win too.
Willie Mullins indicated that Don Poli could head straight to the Gold Cup in the aftermath of his Lexus Chase triumph
— The Irish Field (@TheIrishField) December 28, 2015
https://twitter.com/davidjohnsonTF/status/681500596399161344
