Willie Mullins wins first Ladbrokes Trophy with Total Recall at Newbury racecourse
15 years after he lost the race after Be My Royal failed a dope test, Mullins finally took the prize home with Total Recall
TOTAL RECALL gave Willie Mullins his first Ladbrokes Trophy victory – 15 years after he lost one in the most controversial fashion.
The Irish champion trainer finally lost the 2002 prize more than a year after Be My Royal had passed the post in front only to fail a dope test due to contaminated feed.
After watching Total Recall mow down Whisper in the closing stages for a neck victory Mullins was clearly delighted to have got his hands on the trophy.
He said: “It’s a race any jumps trainer wants to win - it’s a fantastic race. I’m very happy to have won it – we just need to hold on to it this time.
“Be My Royal losing the race was very disappointing at the time but hopefully now that’s laid to rest.”
Total Recall was having only his second start for Mullins after running away with the Munster National following his switch from retired Sandra Hughes.
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The 9-2 favourite moved smoothly to challenge at the second last but he had to dig deep to finally master gallant Whisper.
It was too deep for the Newbury stewards as they slapped a four-day ban on winning rider Paul Townend – deputising for injured Ruby Walsh - for breaking the whip rules.
Punters who put their faith in Nicky Henderson’s runner-up had every right to feel hard done by as their jockey Davy Russell stuck to the rules. They weren’t the only ones to feel the pain of defeat.
Henderson said: “You cry for the horse. When I kept beating him with Might Bite last year, I did feel guilty. He’s run his heart out again - you have got to be very proud of him.”
Whisper is unlikely to be asked to take on King George favourite Might Bite again but Mullins clearly had Cheltenham at the back of his mind.
He said: “I thought he was beaten going to the last – it wasn’t until the final hundred yards I though ‘we’ve got a life here’.
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“We’ll look at more handicaps but you have to wonder is he better than that?
“When he started working we realised he needed a trip and his handicap mark was going to be generous.
“He’ll definitely get an entry for the Gold Cup after that.”
Sun Bets make Total Recall – the first Irish-trained Ladbrokes Trophy winner for 37 years – a 20-1 shot for Cheltenham glory.
It’s won of the few prizes Mullins still has a space for in his trophy cabinet. For now he’s just happy to have filled the Ladbrokes Trophy gap – finally.