It was an easy task for the Willie Mullins-trained El Fabiolo in Sunday’s Grade 1 Dublin Chase at Leopardstown, with the seven-year-old retaining his unbeaten record over fences.
Winner of the Grade 2 Hillyway Chase at Cork in December, El Fabiolo had initially been targeted at a clash with Jonbon in the Clarence House Chase before frost caused the meeting to be abandoned. Connections made the decision to remain in Ireland for the Dublin Racing Festival and were rewarded with an easy victory, with the gelding producing a clean round of jumping. Stablemate Gentleman Du Mee set a fair early pace under Danny Mullins, but El Fabiolo cruised to the lead round the final turn and came home unchallenged. The Willie Mullins-trained Dinoblue finished second with Captain Guiness rallying in the late stages to steal third from a weakening Gentleman Du Mee.
"He did his job well because Dinoblue had worked very well during the week, and I thought if he made any mistake then she would definitely give him a race, so it was a good test and not a freebie by any means. She was getting 7lb from him and she is a good mare," said trainer Willie Mullins.
"He was very clean today and very good. Paul just sat very quiet on him, and he appreciated that and did his job.
"I'm delighted all the owners are here and they love coming to Ireland to race. They have raced in France and England extensively, but they say the experience here is way better.
"The appreciation Irish people have for racing is huge which you don't get in other countries."
Paddy Power reacted to the victory by shortening El Fabiolo from 1/2 favourite to 10/11 favourite for the Grade 1 Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
