A FORGOTTEN Willie Mullins and JP McManus wonderhorse made a simply awesome winning return after 1,372 days off.
Elixir D’ainay was last seen falling when going strongly in the 2020 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle won by Shishkin at Cheltenham Festival.
Out of the limelight for almost four years, the nine-year-old was largely a distant memory by the time he was entered in a Punchestown hurdle.
But Mullins showed what an absolute genius he is by gearing the horse up for an easy win under jockey Mark Walsh.
And it seems someone knew the horse was capable of good things.
Elixir D’ainay was smashed in the market before the off, going from 2-1 to 4-5 for his big-punting owner.
The horses don’t know their odds – or the money on them – though and, gamble aside, this was simply a stunning training masterclass.
Elixir D’ainay took up the running early and saw off valiant 14-1 runner-up Whimsy with something to spare.
Mullins has previous in training horses to win after length lay-offs.
Klassical Dream won the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers’ Hurdle at Punchestown in April 2021 after a 487-day break.
But that was nothing compared to Elixir D’ainay’s monster absence.
One punter who watched the breathtaking return perhaps summed it up best by saying simply: “My God.”
While another wrote: “This is brilliant and a fantastic training performance from Willie Mullins.”
McManus then went onto win the next too with 11-2 Duffys Getaway after taking the opening 2m hurdle with Spillane’s Tower to complete an awesome 37-1 treble.
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