WILLIE MULLINS and Gordon Elliott traded blows in the big races at Gowran Park – with the latter’s Teahupoo the big market mover.
Teahupoo, the first horse ever to beat Honeysuckle, jumped beautifully in winning the Grade 2 Galmoy Hurdle over 3m.
Teahupoo stormed to the top of the Stayers’ market with a mightily impressive win at Gowran ParkSportsfile
Owned by Robcour, Teahupoo, who got the better of Honeysuckle in the Hatton’s Grace, thrashed runner-up Summerville Boy by 15 lengths.
Although the strength of the runners in behind could be questioned, bookies were quick to make him favourite for the Stayers’ Hurdle.
Slashed to a general 3-1, Coral’s David Stevens said: “Teahupoo proved his 20-1 victory in the Hatton’s Grace before Christmas was no fluke.
“Having made his first start at 3m an impressive winning one, Elliott’s charge is the new favourite for the Stayers’ Hurdle.”
Teahupoo was available at 7-1 before the off but now sits ahead of 4-1 Home By The Lee.
The market has seen a lot of chopping and changing, with Charles Byrnes’ Blazing Khal going right out before being backed into 5-1 with Coral.
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It is the same with dual defending champion Flooring Porter.
Reported to have a 50/50 chance of making it to the Festival, Gavin Cromwell’s charge drifted to 20s before coming back into 12s.
It was Mullins who got the better of Elliott in a thrilling finish to the Thyestes Chase.
A key trial en route to the Grand National, Carefully Selected went right round the outside under Paul Townend.
It looked like those tactics could cost the 9-2 favourite victory but he just got the better of 25-1 Dunboyne in a head-bobber.
Carefully Selected was introduced at 20-1 for the Aintree feature by Paddy Power and Betfair.
Meanwhile, Sir Gerhard left a little bit to be desired on his chase debut.
A big blunder at the third nearly put paid to his long-awaited return in the 2m Daly Farrell Chartered Accountants Beginners Chase.
But he recovered well to see off Largy Debut and win at odds of 1-6.
Mullins said the 3m Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase could now be the target in March.
He said: “He didn’t impress me for the first mile and a half.
“Paul said when he was in behind he thought he was on a schooling day, he wasn’t racing.
“What he did from the third-last home I was very impressed with.”
Asked where he sees him racing at Cheltenham, Mullins said: “I’d see him going the longer trip.
“The 2m4f or the 3m. You’d probably think the 3m chase. He’s won a point to point and done a lot of schooling.
“I think probably the 3m race.”
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