Irish Daily Mail, Monday, April 23, 2018 Racemail 47 down to the last punch By PHILIP QUINN OR the fourth time Mullins ready in just six weeks the equine troops of Gordon Elliott and to heap big Willie Mullins are Fset to square up to one another in battle. pressure on As Ireland’s two top trainers tighten their girths for the Punchestown Festival, Elliott Elliott as the has held the high ground of spring, chinning Mullins for the trainer’s title at Cheltenham, the Irish Grand National at Fairy- trainers title house and the Grand National at Aintree. At Cheltenham, Mullins was in front until the 27th race of 28 at nears finish the meeting, the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockey’s Handicap Hurdle, won by Elliott’s Blow By Blow. er’s title and deny Elliott a first. is huge prize money at stake this Elliott is spread that bit thinner Should he land the first prize of At Fairyhouse, Elliott’s General He will fight to the very last. week with 12 Grade One races, and the schedule of the Festival €165,500, it would force Mullins to Principle and Mullins’ Isleofho- At Fairyhouse on Tuesday last, four of them carrying booty of means two of his stars, Apple’s hit the bull with almost all his pendreams were separated by a he ran 10 runners in a Grade A €275,000 each. Jade and Farclas, are likely to run other high-calibre darts. head, which was also the distance €100,000 handicap hurdle and fin- In the elite races, Mullins on Saturday. A year ago, Mullins trailed Elli- between Tiger Roll and Pleasant ished first, fourth, fifth, sixth and appears to hold a stronger hand The key to Elliott protecting ott by nearly €400,000 heading Company at Aintree eight days seventh to claw back some than Elliott as he has Douvan, his lead is where his unbeaten into Punchestown but chalked ago. ground. and Un De Sceaux (Great Field novice Samcro runs, and how he up nine winners and drew clear In financial terms, the difference Not that Elliott was backing off. has suffered a setback which has does. on the final day to win by almost in prizemoney claimed by Elliott He saddled four runners in the ruled him out) for the Champion If owner Michael O’Leary is seri- €200,000. over Mullins was significant, race, who finished second, eight, Chase, Djakadam, Bellshill for ous about assisting Elliott to the A similar fight-back is needed almost €515,000. ninth and tenth. the Gold Cup, Melon, Min and trainer’s title, the impressive win- on the rolling plains of Kildare for By coincidence, that is almost While the gap seems excessive Wicklow Brave for the Champion ner of the Ballymore Hurdle at what promises to be a gripping exactly the deficit, €518,000, Mul- for Mullins to claw back, and he Hurdle, and Penhill, Bacardys Cheltenham could be aimed at climax to the National Hunt lins must make up this week as will miss the canny contribution and Coquin Mans for the Stayers Friday’s Champion Hurdle over season. he seeks to retain his Irish train- of the injured Ruby Walsh, there Hurdle. two miles. Blow by blow.