Chacun Pour Soi announces star potential in Ryanair
Chacun Pour Soi looks another potential superstar for Willie Mullins and Rich Ricci after winning Ryanair Novice Chase at the Punchestown Festival on just his second start in Ireland.
Having created a huge impression on his first run for new connections at Naas, the seven-year-old was in much deeper waters this time in the hottest novice chase of the season.
It contained Philip Hobbs’ JLT winner Defi Du Seuil, Arkle hero Duc Des Genievres, Aintree scorer Ornua and Voix Du Reve, a Grade One winner last time out.
As is his wont, Ornua set off at a helter-skelter gallop – and that sorted out Us And Them, who was an early casualty.
By the second last, Duc Des Genievres took over from Ornua – who had shot his bolt – but he was tracked by stablemate Chacun Pour Soi and Robbie Power, replacing the recently retired Ruby Walsh.
Richard Johnson was content to sit in behind him on Defi Du Seuil to delay his challenge until as late as possible. Yet despite getting close at the last, Chacun Pour Soi – who had defied an absence of more than 1000 days to win last time out – went on again to win by four and a quarter lengths.
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The online bookmakers were suitably impressed, and quickly made him a 5-1 chance for next year’s Queen Mother Champion Chase.
Even the usually circumspect Mullins was surprised at the ease of his success, and said: “I think we’ve seen a real racehorse.
“He’s had lots of niggly little problems, which kept him off for three years. He came right around Naas time and he won his beginners chase very well.
“He’s all the time shown me he could be a real racehorse. To turn in today with a JLT winner on one side and an Arkle winner on the other side – and Robbie said he was cantering. That shows us that he’s a real horse for the future.
“I said to Robbie ‘ride him around the outside and don’t get involved in a race with any of the other horses because he’s had so few runs – but if he’s as good as we think he is God knows what will happen’.
“I just thought about getting here today and haven’t thought any further than that. He’s just matured now, and hopefully it will get better next year. I won’t make any plans now about where he’ll start next year.”
Chacun Pour Soi’s return will be eagerly awaited by all racing followers, though.
Mullins added: “You get a lot of disappointments with horses, but we always thought he could be a Grade One horse. It’s a bit unorthodox, coming out in March to win a beginners chase and then throwing him straight into a Grade One race.
“I hadn’t thought about what distance he might want (in the future). I didn’t look on him as a Champion Chase horse. He’ll gallop and he’ll stay all day, and soft ground would be no problem to him.
“We might keep him to two miles next year, but there will have to be lots of thinking done.”