SPIN' CLASS FOR DANNY

SPINDLEBERRY maintained her unbeaten record over fences to provide Willie Mullins with a record sixth victory in the William Warm Gold Cup at Fairyhouse yesterday.

- BY ALAN MAGEE

The champion trainer saddled three runners in the Grade One feature, although that number was soon reduced by one after the early pacesetter Ile Atlantique unseated his son Patrick at the third fence.

His exit left his stablemate and 7-4 favourite Champ Kiely in front and he quickly built up a buffer over the chasing pack under Paul Townend, with Danny Mullins and Spindleberry his closest pursuer.

Champ Kiely remained in front rounding the home turn, but Spindleberry took over coming to the final fence and found plenty on the run-in to score by four and a half lengths, with Gordon Elliott’s Firefox staying on to beat Champ Kiely to the runner-up spot and deny Mullins a one-two.

Mullins said: “She shows a real liking for this place and I thought Danny gave her a lovely ride.