Big Sunday double for Willie Mullins in Ireland

Willie Mullins won Sundays two races from Ireland Royal Illusion Acquired the Tote Irish Cesarewitch while Cabaret Queen won the Munster National.

Royal Illusion turned into the Tote Irish Cesarewitch into a procession.
After shooting at the head of affairs within the two-furlong markers, giving rider Joey Sheridan a landmark victory, the Willie mare went.
Saglawy and the winner stablemates Legal Twist had cut out the first running, also while Red Gerry briefly led on straightening for home, when the Royal Illusion proceeded on, the race was over.
Sent off in 10-1 under her 7lb-claiming jockey, Royal Illusion had eight and a half lengths before Dalton Highway in the point, which makes it a Cesarewitch dual for Mullins, following Stratum hit Newmarket on Saturday.
Rock De Baune was another two and a quarter lengths back in Red Gerry and third fourth.
Mullins – also on the mark in the Munster National at Limerick using Cabaret Queen – stated:Joey gave a very cool ride. Hes obviously a young man on the road up and I have been hearing good words.
I didnt think she would go on the floor. Weve got a great group of staying Flat horses and it is good to use those.
Revealing ambitious aims for his Cesarewitch stars, Mullins included:Last evening I was thinking,what are we going to do now with Stratum? – and there is a 2.5million rush out in Saudi Arabia.
He moves on great ground and she goes on good earth. Id imagine theyll move there if they receive an invite.
It is on February 29 and is not what I want two weeks before Cheltenham, but for this money well have to go.
Because she ran away together with all the JT McNamara Ladbrokes Munster National Handicap Chase cabaret Queen spearheaded a fruitful afternoon for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend in Limerick.
Even the seven-year-old was a reserve for its event, but sneaked into the field Townend seized the opportunity with both hands and after a few horses were taken out on.
He was convinced from the off Cabaret Queen (9-1) and also she had been well clear turning at home, clearing the last barrier in nice fashion to win by 13 lengths from Spider Internet, with Oscar Knight back in third.
Cabaret Queen is a 14-1 shot with Paddy Power for its Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury on November 30.
Townend stated:She jumped like a buck and it means a great deal when you may do that around here. She improved again from Listowel and now were learning the entire time.
The ground was an unknown, but she handled it well and I made it easy in front.
She was a good find and that I won this race before with Treacle (2009).
Listen Dear had got the day of the Closutton team off to a great start because she finished a long spell with success.
Townend rode her with lots of assurance and she cruised home by eight lengths, although the winner hadnt struck the target because May 2017.
Townend said:After performing a circuit while I was in front I could feel her growing confidence underneath me. She seemed to have lost her confidence, but that can do her the world of good.
Going up in excursion was something we had to test because it was not working back in two miles and she managed to go that gallop today inside her comfort zone.
The future was not looking bright after her last couple of runs, but she was back to herself there and she likes that floor.
Darver Star (13-8 favorite ) took the other Listed prize, the Ladbrokes Where The Nation Plays Novice Hurdle.
Trained ridden and Gavin Cromwell by Jonathan Moore, Darver Star could head to Cheltenham following his one-and-a-half-length verdict over Quick Buck.
Cromwell explained:Im not certain where we go then, but he could possibly go to Cheltenham in November – we will see how he comes out of that.
He could go around three kilometers, but may also return in trip too. You would have to stick to the novice path for the second the way he is going.