Murcia claimed an easy win on the anniversary of 4-Yo Hurdle Boodles for Juvenile in the Aintree.
The filling, trained by Willie Mullis and riding by Paul Townnd in the colors of Kenny Alexander’s Honeysuckle, was beaten in Winter Fred in Cheltenham, but jumped under a positive journey to show her true talent.
Using as much weight as possible, the 11/4 winner led the last to come home without discussed, with six lengths from Live Conti.
Mullis said: “I didn’t expect something like that. I hoped the best terrain would make a difference and that it could end in the first four.
“” If you are not inside, you can’t win “is my motto. It was a big improvement in the most beautiful land and keeping physically less weight has helped it, it’s a better weight for a mare.”
When asked if he was tempted by Punchestown, Mullis said, “Yes!
“Hopefully she will get out of this good and she looks a tough mare, we haven’t spared her this winter, but setting a better career in April is a good sign.
“It will make the next year more difficult, but it is a class winner now, there is a beautiful program for Mares, so after punchestown it can have a pleasant rest – if we don’t take it to AUTEUIL!”
A pleased Alexander said, “She has just improved all the time. Her cheltenham was okay, but today was something else – she should have improved a stone from Cheltenham there, I think maybe the fastest land may have helped it – will use it as an excuse.
“After Honeysuckle, I thought it was, I thought it would be like Man United after Fergie, in the desert for a decade or whatever it may be, but since then we have been lucky to do some and this is another good.”
I Live Conti, Dan Skelton said: “He was a little green on the round road, and I was surprised how much he showed because he is educated by Hunt National and would not hit you like a quick horse at home.
“He’s running extremely well, giving 7lb the winner who was very good the day. I have a lot of confidence in him going forward and even more so today.
“We are lucky to have horses like this as you know that as they get stronger and go to follow them we hope they will go to be the creators of the titles.
“This will be it for this season and we will adhere to the obstruction next year. We will only get that extra year and make sure we are getting it right for the following.”
