Herald Champion Novice Hurdle result
1st Cilaos Emery (8/1)
2nd Melon (5/4 fav)
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Race report
Cilaos Emery gunned down Melon late on to run out a gutsy winner of the Herald Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown on Tuesday, after Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle hero Labaik reverted to type and failed to set off with the others.
The 8/1 winner looked beaten in third when turning for home, but stayed on gamely under a David Mullins drive to go on to score by a length from his Willie Mullins stablemate.
Melon, sent off the 5/4 favourite under Ruby Walsh, stuck to his task in second to give Mullins a one-two and boost his trainers' championship bid, with Colin Tizzard’s Pingshou three-and-a-quarter lengths back in third.
Gordon Elliott's Labaik, renowned for being a tricky customer having refused to race on a couple of occasions previously, was up to his old tricks at the start before eventually jumping off a long way behind the rest of the field.
The winner was given an opening quote of 25/1 for the Champion Hurdle with Sky Bet.
Reaction
Mullins said: "I'd imagine Davy Russell and Ruby just took each other on and went too fast down the back. As much as Ruby thought he should let Davy on, if he had let him on and he beat him he would have kicked himself, so he had to go with him.
"Davy Russell obviously thought he had more stamina than he did, so the two of them cracked and then David Mullins was able to settle in behind them and come with a wet sail.
"I'm disappointed for Melon, but Ruby couldn't do much more and had to go with the other horse.
"It's still only his third run over hurdles. He was beaten fair and square in Cheltenham but it was only his second run over hurdles.
"Today it looked like the two in front cut each others throats. He missed the third-last which would have left a bit more in the tank. I think there is still plenty improvement in him."
Mullins went on: "We decided to ride Cilaos Emery a little differently today and waited more. He deserved it. He's a horse that has disappointed on his last couple of runs.
"He has a Grade One now and it's fantastic for Luke (McMahon, owner), who is a great supporter of the yard. He gets his day and we're delighted for him."
When asked what he thought when Labaik stood still at the start, Mullins replied: "That was unfortunate, but he's liable to do that."
The one-two helped move Mullins closer to Elliott in the trainer's title, with the gap reduced to 319,405 euro, but he said: "There is a long way to go and we're not under any illusion. It's a good start and we're delighted."
