Having claimed the Grade 1 Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown on Saturday, Willie Mullins appeared well placed to fire in the winners at Cork on Sunday afternoon. The Closutton maestro sent eight runners to the Mallow track, four of whom started at odds-on. However, on this occasion, punters who sided with the reigning British and Irish Champion trainer were left disappointed.
At the end of the eight-race card, all four of the Mullins hot favourites were beaten. The fall of the Gordon Elliott-trained Manoir De Mirande in the opener set the tone for a day when all five odds-on chances failed to come home in front. However, while Mullins left Cork empty-handed, Elliott quickly made up for his disappointing start. In partnership with Jack Kennedy, Elliott capitalised on the flopping favourites to land a 259/1 four-timer, including both Grade 2 contests on the card.
Kennedy’s Bravery Rewarded with Maiden Double
| Race | Winner | SP | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maiden Hurdle (Div I) | Lord Rouge | 10/3 | Gordon Elliott | Jack Kennedy |
| Maiden Hurdle (Div II) | Kazansky | 3/1 | Gordon Elliott | Jack Kennedy |
Elliott and Kennedy looked set to get the day off to a flyer when Manoir De Mirande held the lead at the final flight in the Bar 1 Betting 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle. Looking to put the race to bed, Kennedy asked his mount for a big leap at the last. Manoir De Mirande responded, only to crumple on landing and send Kennedy crashing to the turf.
A little over an hour later, the market suggested Lord Rouge and Kennedy would play second fiddle to the Mullins-trained Dani Donadoni, who started at 8/11 in the Bar 1 Casino Maiden Hurdle. Heading towards the last, Lord Rouge looked to be getting the better of the market leader. Undeterred by his earlier fall, Kennedy sealed the deal when again asking his mount for a big jump. No mishaps this time as Lord Rouge stayed on to score by just under two lengths at odds of 100/30.
Lorde Rouge wins The @Bar1Betting Casino Maiden (Div I) for @jackkennedy15 and @gelliott_racing pic.twitter.com/zu9WucPNpE
— Cork Racecourse (@corkracecourse) December 7, 2025
Having been undone at the last in the opener, Elliott and Kennedy were the beneficiaries of a final flight fall in the Bar 1 Casino Maiden Hurdle. Kicking clear of the field, Joseph O’Brien’s Le Labo had the race at his mercy – only to stumble having cleared the final hurdle. With the Willie Mullins 10/11 chance Lumiere Du Large back in fourth, Kennedy and Kazansky stayed on to pick up the pieces at 3/1.
Kazansky wins the @Bar1Betting Casino Maiden Hurdle (DIV II) for Jack Kennedy & @gelliott_racing pic.twitter.com/o9eizGzA8Y
— Cork Racecourse (@corkracecourse) December 7, 2025
Kala Continues to Shine Over Fences
| Pos | Horse | SP | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Kala Conti | 11/4 | Gordon Elliott | Jack Kennedy |
| 2nd | Kargese | 5/6 | Willie Mullins | Paul Townend |
| 3rd | Jalila Moriviere | 8/1 | Willie Mullins | Mark Walsh |
The Grade 2 Coolmore N.H. Sires Order Of St George Irish EBF Mares Novice Chase presented a classic Mullins vs Elliott battle. Going in the colours of Kenny Alexander, the Mullins representative Kargese was expected to make a winning start to her chase career. Successful five times over hurdles, including twice at the highest level, she started at odds of 5/6 in the eight-runner field.
Gordon Elliott’s Kala Conti finished almost three lengths behind Kargese in the 2024 Spring Juvenile Hurdle and had 12 pounds to find with that rival on their hurdle ratings. However, unlike the market leader, she had already scored over fences, having pulled nine and a half lengths clear of the field on her chase debut at this track in November. Upped in class and dropped in distance, Kala Conti brushed Kargese aside with consummate ease to stroll to a 16-length success.
Following the race, Gordon Elliott suggested Kala Conti has earned herself a break over the festive period. The Mares Chase on the final day of the Cheltenham Festival is an obvious long-term target on the back of this excellent performance.
Found A Fifty Floors Mullins Duo
| Pos | Horse | SP | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Found A Fifty | 3/1 | Gordon Elliott | Jack Kennedy |
| 2nd | Majborough | 4/6 | Willie Mullins | Mark Walsh |
| 3rd | Energumene | 7/2 | Willie Mullins | Paul Townend |
With 16 wins in the past 18 editions, Willie Mullins is incredibly tough to beat in the Hilly Way Chase. The betting suggested that would be the case again in 2025, with the Mullins-trained Majborough sent off as the 4/6 favourite. Going in the JP McManus silks, Majborough won three of four starts in 2024/25, including a Grade 1 double at Leopardstown and Punchestown. He fluffed his lines in the Arkle at Cheltenham but was fancied to take high rank in the two-mile chase division this season. If Majborough failed to deliver, Mullins had an excellent second string in the shape of Energumene, who won the 2021, 2022, and 2024 editions of this.
Gordon Elliott’s Found A Fifty split the Mullins duo in the betting and had race fitness on his side following a recent win in the Fortria Chase. A dual Grade 1 winner as a novice, he has yet to hit those heights in open company. However, with four previous Grade 2 wins, he was thoroughly proven at this level. He has now increased that Grade 2 winning tally to five. Stalking Majborough throughout, he took maximum advantage of the favourite’s errant jumping to score by one and a half lengths.
Elliott suggested this may have been Found A Fifty’s Gold Cup, but his jumping will stand him in good stead in the big events to come. 33/1 before the race, he is now a general 16/1 chance for the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
A rare blank day for Mullins, but an excellent afternoon’s work for Elliott and Jack Kennedy. Punters who picked out the above four winners were rewarded with a 259/1 four-timer to start the festive period in style.
