Mystical Power reversed the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle form with Slade Steel in the Grade 1 KPMG Champion Novice Hurdle on day one of the 2024 Punchestown Festival.
Willie Mullins' horse was sent off the 2/1 favourite under Mark Walsh after he got the better of Firefox in the Grade 1 Top Novices' Hurdle at Aintree last time and that straight forecast came in again with Cheltenham winner Slade Steel back in third.
Henry de Bromhead's horse is already well proven over 2m4f and it was his stamina that kicked in on day one at Cheltenham as he got back up on the run for the line on the Cheltenham hill after Mystical Power had edged in front with what looked like a winning run.
The son of Annie Power has been faultless since then, though, winning in Liverpool and now at Punchestown thanks to his raw two-mile speed, his good jump at the last sealing victory as he pulled away from Firefox by a length and three quarters, Slade Steel a further four and a quarter lengths behind.
“He showed resilience and toughness today, he’s been improving all season,” Mullins said of the winner.
“I didn’t think we had much chance at the second-last and Mark said he was going as fast as he could coming around the last bend.
“The race turned into a staying race, with the other two protagonists playing their cards going to the last, they were flat out and he just outstayed them with a good jump at the last.
“It’s fantastic that he’s progressed as the season has gone on and I think Annie Power is coming out in him.”
#horseracing #punchestown
Must-see compilations and best bits ➡️ http://y2u.be/Kfl2CXtG6xA
Greatest Hits! Some of our most amazing action ➡️ http://y2u.be/AfNpAewK4m4
Feature-length documentaries for racing lovers ➡️ http://y2u.be/xIprr1hNCeA
Thrills, spills and funnies! ➡️ http://y2u.be/AHqOQUnNhXo
Racing Greats ➡️ http://y2u.be/74MKoH7TLIE
All the best Group One and Grade One action ➡️ http://y2u.be/mOq9ZgMn_ME
Welcome to the official YouTube channel of Racing TV, the UK's leading horse racing channel showing live racing from the best racecourses in Great Britain and Ireland.
Subscribe to Racing TV's free YouTube channel and get closer to the sport we all love. If you want to watch unmissable moments from the world of racing and exclusive interviews and highlights from our specialist shows then this is the place for you! https://bit.ly/2RHbyMa
You can also find us on Sky 424 or Virgin Media 536 (411 in Ireland): https://t.co/xkJ0xBrDcm
Also watch Racing TV at racingtv.com and via our iPhone, iPad and Android apps: https://t.co/CwcklwUMHs