Colreevy ended her racing career in Glorious Fire after big guns annoyed Monkfish and Envoi Allen with a fabulous victory ahead at Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase in Punchestown. Allen was ranked as one of the races of the season, with Monkfish collecting an unbeaten record at the ramparts, while Envoy Allen tried to recover from the start of his fall at Cheltenham. However, Monkfish’s stable colleague Coleve – winner of the inaugural Mares’ Chase in the Cotswolds last month – had other ideas under the shadow of a well-thought-out journey from the coach’s nephew, Danny Mullins. Ultimately, with the final runner-up Monkfish taking second place under Paul Townend and Envoi Allen in third place at the hands of Rachael Blackmore. However, the Envoi Allen seemed to be in trouble on some way from the house before it was finally pulled close to the last second fence, through at what time the Monkfish was also struggling to tie the leader. Colreevy was a little messy at the last hurdle, but quickly regained momentum and swept past after eight apparent lengths. The winner, recently covered by groundbreaking father Walk In The Park, is now ready for a well-deserved retirement age at the age of eight. Willie Mullins said: “In terms of the ratings, they were the best rated (with the bonus of mares). Envoi Allen is clearly not right, and it is possible that the Monkfish didn’t run their real race, but it did and probably ran a better race than I did at Cheltenham. It’s a nice farewell to Colrive. It’s great for Flens (owners) and Danny too. “While Townend drove Colrivi to Cheltenham’s success, Danny Mullins landed a first class with her in Limerick earlier in the campaign.” He said, “She’s been a good mare for me this season. I am glad Iman Flins B’s response. “It was a good performer. She was a bit sticky early on, but once I got ready for that, she proved to be a first class mare.” From third and managed to go second with a little bit of gasoline, I thought it would be hard to beat – but having said that, Monkfish and Envoi Allen were on my tail, so it was always going to be tough. “She finally took the opportunity, but she has a lot of strength underneath and kept running away from her.”
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