Willie Mullins makes it two winners from the first two races at Cheltenham 2019 as the Paul Townend-ridden Duc Des Genievres runs away with the Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy
- Duc Des Genievres won the Arkle Challenge Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival
- Glen Forsa and Hardline set off as joint-favourites for the two-mile chase
- However, Forsa fell at the fourth fence, leaving the way clear for the 5-1 shot
Duc Des Genievres made it two wins out of two for Mullins at the 2019 Festival, with an even more convincing success in an eventful Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase.
Paul Townend was the jockey this time, with Walsh watching on, as the grey surged clear to win by 13 lengths at 5-1 from Us And Them.
Several of the Grade One race’s main contenders fell by the wayside early, Glen Forsa exiting at the fourth fence and Ornua then falling and bringing down Kalashnikov – while Lalor was pulled up in rain-soaked conditions which were not to his liking.
The 5-1 shot Duc Des Genievres has won the Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy
Mullins said: ‘The horse jumped impeccably. He just powered up the hill. This rain was a huge help to him, too.
‘He seemed to really like the ground, and it looked like a schooling session to him to be honest.’
He added: ‘It’s a fantastic start (to the meeting), I didn’t dream we could do that. I thought the first fellow would go close, but this one I thought had an each-way chance.’
It was the second winner of the Festival for Willie Mullins, who made it two from two on day one
The Paul Townend-ridden gelding romped home well clear of the rest of the field
