Willie Mullins pulls off feat by producing horse to win after 1,372-day absence

12 December 2023 , 16:40

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Elixir D'ainay: winning at Punchestown after 1,672 day absence (Image: RACINGFOTOS.COM)

Willie Mullins pulled off a remarkable feat by sending out a horse to win after a 1,372-day absence.

Elixir D’ainay, owned by J P McManus, was last in action nearly four years ago when he contested the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the 2020 Cheltenham Festival. He was vying for the lead when he was knocked over and fell heavily at the second last flight, bringing down another runner.

He returned to action at Punchestown on Monday where he was sent off 4-5 favourite for a 2m1f hurdle race. Despite the long absence he found the reserves to repel the challenge off Whimsy from the second last obstacle and win by two and a quarter lengths under Mark Walsh.

At the age of nine he could now embark on a novice chasing career having shown he has retained plenty of the ability he demonstrated before he was injured when finishing second to Envoi Allen in a Grade 1 novices’ hurdle.

McManus’s racing manager Frank Berry said: “Willie had him entered in a chase and I'd presume that's the road he'll go down from here.

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"It's lovely to get him back and that was a lovely race to find for him. We'll be happy now if the wheels stay on.”

He added: “He's a fine, big horse and his form was very good around the time he got injured. It's lovely to see him back and credit to all of Willie's team."

Jon Lees