SBK Irish EBF Mares Champion Hurdle 502eb |
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| Grade 1, Punchestown 15:42 €125,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 2m 2f, Class 1  |
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135nu
1 Jade De Grugy EvensF
2 Gala Marceau 12/1
3 Brighterdaysahead 6/4
6 ran Distances: 6½l, 2½l, 2½l
Time: 5m 7.20s (slow by 23.20s)
Another Grade 1 for Paul Townend and Willie Mullins as the well backed fav Jade de Grugy wins in good style ahead of Gala Marceau and Brighterdaysahead@PTownend | @WillieMullinsNH pic.twitter.com/hmATgdP2Dg
— Punchestown (@punchestownrace) May 3, 2025
Willie Mullins’ dominance rolled on at Punchestown, as Jade De Grugy produced a career-best display to give the Closutton maestro his ninth win in the race’s last eleven runnings.
An even-money favourite after chasing home Lossiemouth at Cheltenham, the six-year-old went one better in emphatic style under a tactically astute ride from Paul Townend.
Settled in third through the early exchanges, Townend let her stride to the front heading out on the second circuit—a move swiftly mirrored by main market rival Brighterdaysahead, trying to bounce back after her Champion Hurdle disappointment.
But turning for home, it was clear who had the fuel in the tank. Jade De Grugy was travelling like the winner, stretching further clear up the straight as Brighterdaysahead emptied, eventually fading into third behind Gala Marceau, another in the Mullins blue-and-yellow.
The winning margin? Six and a half lengths—a statement performance, and one that stamped Jade De Grugy’s name among the top-tier mares in training.
“She’s just kept improving,” said Mullins. “The better ground was key and tactically, Paul judged it to perfection. It’s not easy to boss races like that from the front, but she was always in rhythm.”
Of the beaten favourite, Mullins added: “I think Brighterdaysahead might still be feeling the effects of a hard race over Christmas. That can linger.”
The future looks bright for the winner, with the Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham already on the radar again.
“She’s earned a proper break,” Mullins smiled. “But we’ll have one eye on March.”
Mares Champion Hurdle (Grade 1)
€125,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 2m 2f, Class 1
6 ran
Going: Yielding
POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 Jade De Grugy 11-7 W P Mullins Paul Townend EvsF
2 6½ Gala Marceau 6 11-7 W P Mullins Danny Mullin 12/1
3 2½ Brighterdaysahead 6 11-7 Gordon Elliott Sam Ewing 6/4
4 2½ Lot Of Joy 7 11-7 W P Mullins Brian Hayes 80/1
5 3½ July Flower 6 11-7 Henry De Bromhead Rachael Blackmore 11/1
6 24 Wyenot 6 11-7 Henry Daly Harry Cobden 28/1
PAST RESULTS
Year Horse Age/Wt Owner Trainer Jockey SP
2024 Lossiemouth 5 11-7 Mrs S Ricci W P Mullins Paul Townend 2/11F
2023 Echoes In Rain 7 11-7 Barnane Stud W P Mullins Paul Townend 13/8F
2022 Marie's Rock 7 11-05 Middleham Park Racing XLII Nicky Henderson Nico de Boinville 10/1
2021 Stormy Ireland 7 11-09 FB Racing Club W P Mullins Danny Mullins 7/2
2020 Abandoned - Covid-19
2014 Annie Power 6-11-07 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins Ruby Walsh 1/6 Fav
2013 Glens Melody 5-11-07 Ms Fiona McStay Willie Mullins Paul Townend 7/2
