Keagan Kirkby, a point-to-point rider and highly valued member of the Paul Nicholls team at Ditcheat, has died following a fall at Charing point-to-point on Sunday.
The Injured Jockeys Fund (IJF) said the 25-year-old was riding at the meeting in Kent when his horse ran through the wing of a fence in the final race of the day.
A statement from the IJF read: “It is with deep sadness that we have to report that West Country point-to-point rider, Keagan Kirkby, 25, has died following a fall at Charing point-to-point in Kent today.
“His horse, trained locally, ran out through the wing of a fence on the second circuit of the final race. The on-course medical team attended immediately and despite additional support from a 999 Helicopter Emergency Services crew, he could not be saved.
“Keagan was a respected member of the Paul Nicholls team, who joined in 2019 and who had been awarded employee of the month in December 2021. He was shortlisted for the 2024 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards in the Rider/Groom category.
“We kindly ask that everyone respects the privacy of Keagan’s family and the team at Paul Nicholls Racing at this tragic time.”
Paying tribute on his X (formerly Twitter) account, champion trainer Nicholls said: “Life is so hard sometimes, winners totally insignificant compared to what has happened today.
“Sadly Keagan Kirby, one of our best, hardworking lads, lost his life today riding in a point-to-point. All at team Ditcheat are mortified. Thoughts with all his friends and family.”
He added: “He was passionate about his job and his riding and rode Afadil every day. Last thing he said to me on Friday was ‘boss Afadil will win tomorrow’ (at Musselburgh). How right he was.
“RIP Keag we will all miss you terribly.”
Julie Harrington, chief executive of the British Horseracing Authority, said in a statement: “We are devastated to hear the tragic news regarding the fatal injuries sustained by Keagan Kirkby.
“Our thoughts are with his family and friends, and everyone at the yard of Paul Nicholls. The entire racing industry will be in mourning at the loss of someone so young and with such potential.
“The esteem in which he was held is clear from the fact that he was nominated for the Rider/Groom category of the 2024 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards, and made it through to the final 10 in his category. The nomination spoke of Keagan’s qualities as a thoughtful rider who develops a personal bond with his horses, understands their characters and adapts his riding accordingly, as well as his affable, helpful nature and popularity on the yard.
“We call on everyone to respect the privacy of Keagan’s family and the Paul Nicholls yard.”
Blaise Bicknell brushed aside Darian King 6-1 6-0 to draw Jamaica level at 2-2 and extend their World Group II Davis Cup Playoff tie to a fifth and deciding rubber at the Eric Bell Centre in Kingston.
King, hampered by a left knee injury, was never in the contest as Bicknell dominated exhibition style.
"I played well throughout. Of course, he's not 100 percent but I thought I made very good decisions out there and I made him work for what he needed to."
Jamaica, who took the lead through Bicknell in the first singles rubber, fell behind after King beat Rowland Phillips to close Saturday and then returned alongside Haydn Lewis to snatch a thrilling doubles contest to start Sunday's action.
It means the tie will be decided by Jamaica's Phillips and Kaipo Marshall of Barbados and Bicknell, ranked 319 in the world said he has all confidence that Phillips can get the job done for Jamaica.
"If there's anyone I want in this position is Randy because he's Mr Davis Cup, as we call him."
Phillips is Jamaica's winningest Davis Cup player with 26 wins against 12 losses.
Marshall has recorded just one win in eight matches but that success came heroically against Pacific Oceania's Clement Mainguy last year when he rallied from a set and 4-5 down to win and keep Barbados in Group II.
The winner of this tie will remain in Group II, while loser will be relegated to Group III this summer. from my Galaxy
Darian King and Haydn Lewis have given Barbados a 2-1 lead over Jamaica after defeating Blaise Bicknell and Rowland Phillips in a thrilling doubles rubber in their World Group II Davis Cup Playoff tie at the Eric Bell Centre in Kingston.
King and Lewis rallied from a set down to secure victory 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in 2 hours and 45 minutes.
The tie was locked at 1-1 after Saturday's opening day which saw Bicknell beating Kaipo Marshall 6-1 3-6 6-1 and King edging Phillips in a 6-3 3-6 7-5 thriller.
The Jamaican pair edged a very tight first set, after breaking Lewis' serve in the seventh game, before they closed it out at the second opportunity by again breaking the Barbadians in the ninth.
While the first set had just one break of serve, there were three in the second with Barbados claiming two in the third and seventh games before King served out the set at love.
It set up a blockbuster third set and it was Barbados who held their nerve on the back of an outstanding performance from Lewis.
The lefty volleyed and returned superbly and then closed it out with precision serving.
"I have been in this situation a lot of times and I understand Darian, he's been my partner for many years, so I know that he can get down, so a lot of times I have to be the one to take control."
The 38-year-old has been representing Barbados at this level for 22 years and he drew on all his experience in the final set.
He was clinical in the decider, controlling the big moments when others seemed indecisive.
Overall it was a high quality match, with all four players having their moments.
King saved four set points when serving down 1-2 in the third, pulling out the marathon game despite a controversial line call unfortunately going against them.
Another big moment was when the Jamaicans saved four break points when Phillips was serving at 3-3, but Barbados ultimately won the marathon game after 20 minutes, which was the crucial break needed to take the match.
Blaise Bicknell is currently facing Darian King in the first reverse singles, a match Jamaica must win to stay alive in the tie, and remain in Group II.
Barry John, the Welsh rugby union great who was crowned ‘The King’ after inspiring the Lions’ famous 1971 series victory over the All Blacks, has died at the age of 79.
Tributes poured in for the former Llanelli and Cardiff fly-half, with the Lions calling him “truly one of the greatest”, and Welsh Rugby Union president Terry Cobner saying John “was and will remain a legend of our game”.
John, who won 25 Wales caps between 1966 and 1972 and was given the nickname ‘The King’ by New Zealand journalists due to the impact of his performances on the 1971 tour, died in hospital on Sunday.
A statement released by John’s family read: “Barry John died peacefully today at the University Hospital of Wales surrounded by his loving wife and four children.
“He was a loving dad to his 11 grandchildren and a much-loved brother.”
John played his club rugby for Llanelli and then Cardiff, where he struck up a half-back partnership with Gareth Edwards that went on to flourish for Wales and the Lions.
John was partnered by Edwards in 23 of his Wales international appearances, plus all five Lions Tests – one against South Africa and four against New Zealand. He retired from the sport at the age of 27.
His death comes just four weeks after another star of Welsh rugby’s golden era, JPR Williams, also passed away.
Jonathan Davies, one of the most renowned Welsh players of the 1980s and 1990s, paid tribute to John, writing on social media: “RIP Barry – another one of my heroes sadly gone. #BarryJohnTheKing”.
John will be particularly remembered for his performances on the two Lions Tours, in which he scored 30 of the Lions’ 48 points across four Tests.
Calling him “truly one of the greatest”, the Lions added in a statement: “We are hugely saddened that the great Barry John has passed away at the age of 79.
“Barry inspired so many and will forever be remembered for how much he gave to the sport.
“All our thoughts are with his family and friends.”
WRU president Terry Cobner, who played in the Welsh back-row and toured with the Lions in 1977, described John as “probably the greatest” fly-half of all time.
“To be crowned ‘The King’ in New Zealand when every back row forward in both the North and South Islands is trying to take your head off is quite some accolade,” said Cobner.
“For me, he has got to be right up there among the greatest outside halves who have ever played the game – probably the greatest.
“He was a glider, rather than a sidestepper, who had a subtle change of pace and direction. Coming on top of the recent deaths of Brian Price and JPR Williams, this is another huge blow for Welsh rugby.
“After what he did for Wales and the Lions in 1971, those of us who followed him into both teams always felt we had huge shoes to fill. He was and will remain a legend of our game.”
Scarlets, where John started his first-class career in 1964, described John as “an icon of the game”, while former Lions tourist John Devereux tweeted: “My greatest idol of all time has gone”.
Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden recorded a four-timer at Musselburgh on Sunday, but the achievement was very much tempered by a tragic conclusion to the closing bet365 Open National Hunt Flat Race.
The Sandy Thomson-trained and Ryan Mania-ridden Getagin – part-owned by golfer Lee Westwood – looked set for victory in the bet365 Scottish Cheltenham Trials meeting finale, but appeared to go wrong in the final strides.
Following a lengthy stewards’ inquiry, the Nicholls-trained Wicked Thoughts was confirmed the winner by a neck, although the race was marred by the injury sustained by Getagin, who was a second fatality on the card after Absolute Notions in the Pertemps Network Group Handicap Hurdle.
The stewards’ report read: “An inquiry was held to consider the placings in this race when Getagin fell approaching the line.
“Having viewed the recordings; the official photo and interviewed the judge and Ryan Mania, the stewards were satisfied that the rider of Getagin had not made contact with the ground until after the line and therefore were satisfied that Getagin should be placed second.”
The Ditcheat team endured their own loss over the weekend, with Hermes Allen suffering a fatal fall in the Grade One Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at Sandown on Saturday.
Liari (10-11 favourite) had earlier struck gold for the Nicholls outfit in the bet365 Scottish Triumph Hurdle, with Beau Balko (5-4 favourite) landing the Never Ordinary At bet365 Handicap Chase and Panjari (11-2) prevailing in the bet365 Scottish Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
Wales rugby great Barry John has died at the age of 79.
The former Wales and British and Irish Lions fly-half died peacefully in hospital, his family announced.
John, who was nicknamed The King by New Zealand journalists after he inspired the Lions’ famous 1971 Test series victory over the All Blacks, won 25 Wales caps between 1966 and 1972.
He also played in five Lions Tests on their 1968 and 1971 tours, before retiring from rugby at the age of 27.
A statement released by John’s family read: “Barry John died peacefully today at the University Hospital of Wales surrounded by his loving wife and four children.
“He was a loving dad to his 11 grandchildren and much-loved brother.”
John played his club rugby for Llanelli and then Cardiff, where he struck up a half-back partnership with Gareth Edwards that went on to flourish for Wales and the Lions.
John was partnered by Edwards in 23 of his Wales international appearances, plus all five Lions Tests – one against South Africa and four against New Zealand.
Another star of Welsh rugby’s golden era, full-back JPR Williams, died four weeks ago.
Barry John was arguably rugby union’s first superstar and a mercurial player whose wizardry gained comparisons with footballing genius George Best.
Nicknamed ‘The King’ by New Zealand journalists after he famously orchestrated the All Blacks’ downfall during an unforgettable Test series against the 1971 British and Irish Lions, John was rugby royalty in anyone’s language.
A miner’s son from Carmarthenshire, John, who has died at the age of 79, enjoyed a spectacular career for Llanelli, Cardiff, Wales, the Lions and Barbarians.
At international level, it might have lasted only six years before he announced his shock retirement, citing pressures of fame and expectation as he stepped down before his 28th birthday.
But John’s impact on the sport could never be understated as an imperious fly-half whose seemingly-effortless ability to beat defenders often defied logic and gained him worldwide admiration.
In his autobiography, John’s famed half-back partner Sir Gareth Edwards wrote: “He (John) had this marvellous easiness in the mind, reducing problems to their simplest form, backing his own talent all the time.
“One success on the field bred another and soon he gave off a cool superiority which spread to others in the side.”
And another revered Wales and Lions colleague, Gerald Davies, said: “Whilst the hustle and bustle went on around him, he could divorce himself from it all.
“He kept his emotions in check and a careful rein on the surrounding action. The game would go according to his will and no-one else’s.”
Born in the village of Cefneithin to William and Vimy John, he was one of six children. All three of his brothers – Delville, Alan and Clive – played rugby.
John began his career at Llanelli, making a first team debut against Moseley two days before his 19th birthday in 1964. Two years later, he was capped by Wales and in 1967 he moved to Cardiff, where a partnership with Edwards quickly began to flourish.
Lions tours followed in 1968 and 1971, with that latter trip remaining the only time New Zealand have suffered a Test series loss to the Lions.
John scored 30 of the Lions’ 48 points across four Tests, and the flickering black and white television pictures showcased him in all his glory as a player who, like Manchester United star Best, often performed as though from a different planet.
Adulation naturally accompanied him – he was third in the 1971 BBC Sports Personality of the Year behind winner Princess Anne and runner-up Best – and took part in the corporation’s ‘Superstars’ programme alongside fellow household names such as Bobby Moore, Jackie Stewart, Joe Bugner and Tony Jacklin.
Then, 25 caps into his Wales career and after playing five Tests for the Lions, John called it a day.
He made his announcement in the Sunday Mirror newspaper, stepping away at a time when he was the sport’s biggest name.
“I was the first rugby pop star, superstar, call it whatever you want,” John recalled in an interview with Wales Online.
“I was third in BBC Sports Personality, then a month later I was the first rugby player to be the subject of ‘This is Your Life’. I was coming off the pitch against England at Twickenham and there is Eamonn Andrews with his big red book.
“I didn’t want to retire, but it was the circumstances. People didn’t understand how you had to go to work, how you had to be fit for international-level rugby.
“I was getting lethargic, tired. You can’t be like that on the international stage, especially at number 10.
“The invitations just flew in thick and fast. I had no time to myself, just knew I wasn’t as sharp mentally or physically as I wanted to be.
“I was up there (North Wales) doing a promotion for the bank. Youngsters were out, lots of people to greet me. I said a few words, and as I was being introduced to someone, she curtsied. Not a major one, a little one, but a curtsy nonetheless.
“That convinced me this was not normal. I was becoming more and more detached from real people. I didn’t want this any more.”
John’s career might have been relatively short and sweet by modern-day standards, but his legacy was one that most players could only dream of.
Wales won three Five Nations titles, a Grand Slam and two Triple Crowns during his stint on the international stage, and he remained in rugby after playing, reporting and writing columns for the Daily Express and Wales on Sunday.
John, who lived in Cardiff, is survived by his wife Janet and children Kathryn, Lucy, Anne and David.
Wales rugby great Barry John has died at the age of 79.
The former Wales and British and Irish Lions fly-half died peacefully in hospital, his family announced.
John, who was nicknamed The King by New Zealand journalists after he inspired the Lions’ famous 1971 Test series victory over the All Blacks, won 25 Wales caps between 1966 and 1972.
He also played in five Lions Tests on their 1968 and 1971 tours, before retiring from rugby at the age of 27.
A statement released by John’s family read: “Barry John died peacefully today at the University Hospital of Wales surrounded by his loving wife and four children.
“He was a loving dad to his 11 grandchildren and much-loved brother.”
John played his club rugby for Llanelli and then Cardiff, where he struck up a half-back partnership with Gareth Edwards that went on to flourish for Wales and the Lions.
John was partnered by Edwards in 23 of his Wales international appearances, plus all five Lions Tests – one against South Africa and four against New Zealand.
Another star of Welsh rugby’s golden era, full-back JPR Williams, died four weeks ago.
Fleur Au Fusil put the seal on a momentous weekend for Willie Mullins with victory in the Coolmore N.H. Sires “Hurricane Lane” Irish EBF Mares I.N.H. Flat Race that brought the Dublin Racing Festival to a close.
Having already landed all eight Grade Ones over the course of the two days at Leopardstown, the champion trainer made it nine winners overall in the Grade Two finale.
Mullins was triple-handed, with his son Patrick siding three-time winner Aurora Vega, the 5-6 favourite, and nephew Charlie aboard impressive Thurles scorer Femme Magnifique.
That left Jody Townend to keep the ride on Fleur Fusil (10-1), and having guided the six-year-old to a debut success at Naas in November the partnership struck gold again with a two-and-a-half-length verdict from Switch From Diesel. Aurora Vega had to make do with minor honours in fourth.
“Jody was excellent on the mare, the mare was good and Jody gets on very well with her. It was an excellent performance,” said Mullins.
“It’s not the instructions you would give to anyone, to jump off and run away at halfway and still win!
“I haven’t a clue whether we’ll go to Cheltenham or Aintree, this is her Gold Cup for the moment.”
Stuart Crawford’s 20-1 shot Brucio came home best of all to land the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Paddy Mullins Mares Handicap Hurdle.
Following a Grade One treble on Saturday, Danny Mullins looked set to add to his tally after going clear aboard Minx Tiara, but the petrol gauge began to empty on the run-in and it was recent Catterick scorer Brucio who ran her down before kicking six lengths clear under J J Slevin.
“J J had her in a great position and she jumped very well for a lightly raced mare. There were a couple of hares in front and luckily they have just gone a bit too hard. She’s won well in the end,” said Crawford.
“She’s been steadily improving and won in Catterick the last day, which was a good piece of race selection by Anthony (Bromley).
“We were in a different ball game today, but it has given her a bit of confidence. She has a wee touch of class about her, and it couldn’t have gone any better on the day.
“We have plenty of options now and we could think about the mares’ novice in Cheltenham or a good handicap somewhere.”
Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore successfully combined in the O’Driscolls Irish Whiskey Leopardstown Handicap Chase, with Heart Wood (6-1) stretching 16 lengths clear of his rivals.
De Bromhead said: “He had a couple of nice runs in beginners chases and in all fairness it seemed a reasonable mark.
“We said we’d aim for here today and we’re delighted to win this. We’ll see what the handicapper thinks and then sit down and decide where we go.”
The Harry Rogers-trained Lord Erskine was a shock 40-1 winner of the Timeless Sash Windows Handicap Hurdle, with Darragh O’Keeffe delivering his mount with a late charge to beat Magical Zoe and Zenta by three and a half lengths and a nose respectively.
“Darragh knows him well and was very good on him. I was a bit worried about the ground but Darragh said it was no problem,” said an emotional Rogers.
“I could never get him into a good race with a light weight and it was the same on the Flat. He’d a proper weight on his back today and there was a good gallop which suited him.
“His (late) owner Jerry Nolan was a pure gentleman. I rode winners for him and having an owner like him, you couldn’t buy them. He was easy to train for.”
Henry de Bromhead is inclined to look towards Aintree rather than Cheltenham with Bob Olinger following his excellent effort in defeat behind State Man in the Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle.
The high-class nine-year-old has thrived for a return to the smaller obstacles, winning the Lismullen Hurdle in November before following up in the Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day.
The Irish Champion represented a much sterner test and also a drop in distance to two miles, but the popular gelding acquitted himself with real credit under Rachael Blackmore, with only arguably the best hurdler outside of Constitution Hill being too good.
Owned by Brian Acheson under his Robcour banner, Bob Olinger is twice a Cheltenham Festival winner, landing the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle in 2021 and adding the Turners Novices’ Chase 12 months later.
“We were delighted with how he ran,” said De Bromhead.
“I had a little dream for a second when he looked up turning in, but State Man is such a good horse.
“I’d say we’ll aim for Aintree now with him.”
Willie Mullins reflected on a weekend of “fantasy horse racing” at the Dublin Racing Festival after securing all eight Grade Ones prizes up for grabs across the two-day fixture for the first time.
The Closutton handler has dominated the high-profile meeting since its inception in 2018, although he had hitherto not quite found the correct combination to mop up all the top-level prizes in the same year.
But having once again sent an army of equine superstars to Leopardstown, Mullins completed a Grade One clean sweep, at odds of nearly 6,505-1 – an achievement the all-conquering champion trainer insisted he does not take for granted.
He said: “It’s been a superb weekend. You see the team in action this weekend and I’m delighted for them, I’m delighted for my owners and my staff, it’s terrific.
“It’s extraordinary, we know that. Everything has come together – we have tremendous owners who invest in Irish racing and they love it.
“It’s tremendous to have people from abroad bringing money like that into Irish racing and we’re the beneficiaries – we’re very lucky.”
Galopin Des Champs starred in the trainer’s Saturday four-timer as he defended his crown in the Irish Gold Cup, ensuring he will be a short price to do the same in the Cheltenham Gold Cup next month.
It is further evidence of the huge strength in depth that Mullins has at his disposal that he won the other three Grade One races on the first day with apparent second, third and even fourth strings.
The champion trainer’s nephew Danny Mullins enjoyed a treble, getting off to a flying start aboard rank outsider Dancing City in the curtain-raising Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle before landing the Spring Juvenile Hurdle and the Irish Arkle on Kargese and Il Etait Temps respectively.
On Sunday the results were a little more predictable, with State Man making it back-to-back wins in the Irish Champion Hurdle, Ballyburn justifying odds-on favouritism in the Tattersalls Ireland 50th Derby Sale Novice Hurdle and El Fabiolo cementing his status as Queen Mother Champion Chase favourite with a clear-cut win in the Dublin Chase.
The only minor upset among the four Mullins winners on day two was Fact To File’s defeat of better-fancied stablemate Gaelic Warrior in the Ladbrokes Novice Chase, with the latter exiting when well held at the final fence.
Mullins added: “You can’t get much better – it’s fantasy horse racing, isn’t it?
“We bring the horses here and as you saw a lot of our second strings won yesterday, it was amazing and Danny had a tremendous day.
“They’re all coming here on their merits for different owners and may the best one win on the day. You don’t know what will happen, look at Gaelic Warrior today – he was many people’s banker for the weekend and was a complete blowout. It’s not simple.”
Much has been made of Mullins’ increasing dominance on the National Hunt scene, with the fact he saddled the only two runners to go to post in the Ladbrokes Novice Chase clearly disappointing.
“It’s unfortunate,” he admitted. “Grangeclare West wasn’t right this morning and we withdrew him, I never dreamt (Gordon Elliott’s) American Mike would come out, I don’t know what happened there.
“It is unfortunate, but we run everything we can anyway. We just aim for these festivals and hope that ours turn up and as you see, they don’t all turn up.
“Yesterday we had a couple of favourites beaten, it’s racing and that’s why you have to come to the races and find out. If I was punting, I’d be losing my tonsils I’d say!”
A rematch with the mighty Constitution Hill looms large for State Man following a comfortable defence of his Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle crown at Leopardstown.
Since falling on his first start for Willie Mullins at this track in December 2021, State Man has been the dominant force in the division in Ireland, winning nine of his next 10 outings.
His only defeat during that period came at the hands of Nicky Henderson’s Constitution Hill, who proved nine lengths too strong in the Champion Hurdle at last season’s Cheltenham Festival.
And while State Man clearly has his work cut out to turn the tables in the Cotswolds next month, he confirmed his status as the reigning champion’s biggest threat with an eighth Grade One victory under Paul Townend.
Having been unable to reel in his stablemate in the Matheson Hurdle in December, Impaire Et Passe this time set out to make all the running under Daryl Jacob, with State Man (2-5 favourite) his nearest pursuer.
State Man took over travelling strongly before the home turn and was always doing enough in the straight to keep a resurgent Bob Olinger at bay, with five and a half lengths separating the pair at the line.
Coral left the winner unchanged at 3-1 for the Champion Hurdle, with Constitution Hill their 1-5 favourite.
El Fabiolo continued his relentless march towards next month’s Queen Mother Champion Chase with a dominant display in the Ladbrokes Dublin Chase at Leopardstown.
Winner of the Irish Arkle at this meeting last year before following up in the Arkle at Cheltenham, the seven-year-old had stretched his unbeaten record over fences to six when making a successful start to the current campaign in the Hilly Way at Cork.
With the weather denying him an intended trip to Britain for the Clarence House Chase at Ascot last month, El Fabiolo was rerouted to the Dublin Racing Festival for his final outing before his return to the Cotswolds and ultimately got the job done without too much fuss.
Having tracked his stablemate and last year’s winner Gentleman De Mee for most of the two-mile-one-furlong journey, El Fabiolo (4-11 favourite) took over with a big leap two fences from home and was in in full command thereafter, only having to be pushed out by Paul Townend to score by eight and a half lengths from another Willie Mullins-trained runner in Dinoblue.
Both Coral and Paddy Power make El Fabiolo the 4-9 market leader to provide Mullins with a third successive victory in the Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival following the back-to-back wins of the currently sidelined Energumene.
Ballyburn further enhanced his burgeoning reputation with an emphatic victory in the Tattersalls Ireland 50th Derby Sale Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown.
A dual bumper winner but beaten by Firefox on his hurdling debut at Fairyhouse, the Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old put that right with a 25-length demolition job at Leopardstown over Christmas.
The son of Flemensfirth was the 10-11 favourite to successfully step up to Grade One level at the Dublin Racing Festival, and the drop in distance from two-and-a-half to two miles proved to be no problem whatsoever.
Paul Townend positioned Ballyburn close to the pace from flag-fall and having travelled well into the home straight, he readily kicked clear as he raced by the omitted final flight and passed the post with seven lengths in hand over Slade Steel.
Mullins said: “It was a great performance, I’m absolutely delighted. He met hurdle after hurdle right and was in control the whole way. Paul was very happy with how he did things.
“He did everything right over the minimum trip, which is good.
“He has a very low head carriage which is usually a good sign in a horse, I like it, but it’s not nice for the jockeys at times.”
Ballyburn heads ante-post lists for both the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and the Baring Bingham Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, with Mullins in no rush to commit to either race at this stage.
He added: “I’m going to talk about today and leave it at that.”
George Ford has called on England to build on the attacking endeavour shown against Italy when their Guinness Six Nations continues against Wales at Twickenham.
Although outscored 3-2 on the try count, England honoured their pre-match pledge to play with greater freedom after releasing the handbrake imposed by the kick-focussed tactics used during the first year of Steve Borthwick’s reign.
Roaming wing Tommy Freeman, scrum-half Alex Mitchell, debutant Ethan Roots and Ford himself were influential in a pleasing pivot away from the conservatism seen at the World Cup.
While England’s ambition dimmed after half-time of the 27-24 victory in Rome, Ford views the opener as a promising start.
“I know the scoreboard says it was very close, but that second half, we were pretty comfortable,” Ford said.
“The main positives for me were how we responded to them scoring tries, how it felt when we were trying to fire shots in attack and then how we controlled the game in the second half.
“Our intent to play and move the ball was good and I’m really pleased about that. It’s always a balance. You always want to make good decisions and do the right thing at the right time.
“At the very front of our minds is the intent to play, the intent to get behind the ball and attack the defence and go and try and break the line and scores tries.
“Since coming into camp two weeks ago, that’s been the biggest mindset shift from us as a team.
“This is the first game and we’ve been trying to implement that. We could have made better decisions a couple of times but playing in it was pretty exciting. We want to build this.
“I want to keep the intent to play, break the line and score tries and probably pick our execution up when we’ve got the ball.
“We understand it’s going to be a tough day – it always is against Wales – but we’re really excited to keep on getting better.
“There has been a mindset shift in defence and attack that is really enjoyable to be a part of.”
For the first time since 2019, England began the Six Nations with a win as the Jamie George era began with five debuts being issued amid a call from the new captain to believe they can win the title.
Front runners Ireland will have a major say in that given their demolition of France in Marseille, but – in the meantime – Ford values a start that produced few mishaps other than lapses in the new defensive system.
“Winning the first game is huge. You always want to start this tournament with a win. It gives you a bit of momentum, confidence,” Ford said.
“You want to win that first game because you go back home to Twickenham against Wales, which is such an exciting game anyway, with a good result so that you can go again.”
Fact To File came home in splendid isolation after his stablemate and only rival Gaelic Warrior departed at the final fence when already well beaten in Ladbrokes Novice Chase at Leopardstown.
An initial field of five was reduced to a Grade One match between two Willie Mullins-trained runners, with the champion trainer withdrawing Grangeclare West and Gordon Elliott taking out Saturday’s Irish Arkle runner-up Found A Fifty together with his stablemate American Mike.
The two-mile-five-furlong contest was predictably a tactical affair, with Paul Townend allowing 4-7 favourite Gaelic Warrior to stride on in front for much of the way while Mark Walsh was content to sit on his tail aboard 6-4 shot Fact To File.
The latter first joined issue early in the back straight before Gaelic Warrior went clear once more, but it was apparent on the approach to three out that Fact To File was going the better of the pair and he soon took over and asserted before the home turn.
The race was already over as a contest when a weary Gaelic Warrior made a bad mistake and unseated his rider at the final obstacle, allowing Fact To File to coast to what would have been an empathic victory in any case.
Paddy Power make Fact To File their 2-1 favourite from 4-1 for the Turners Novices’ Chase at next month’s Cheltenham Festival, while he is 3-1 with Coral for the longer Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase.
The Chicago Bulls will be without Zach LaVine for the rest of the campaign.
LaVine, who has had a stop-start season, will undergo surgery on a foot issue next week.
Bulls coach Billy Donovan confirmed on Saturday that LaVine, who has not played since mid-January due to an ankle sprain, had elected to go under the knife and will miss between four and six months.
"He made a decision he felt was best for his health," Donovan said.
"I really feel like he did everything he could to try to get himself back to playing.
"The discomfort in his foot was at a place where I think he didn't feel like he had any chance to be himself. That was the really frustrating part of it.
"He's kind of been in and out, but certainly you'd like to have a player of his calibre available.
"Now with the news coming out we'll have to play without him. I've always said when you lose really good players, it impacts your team."
Rio Dyer believes that Wales will need to back themselves and build on a stunning second-half display against Scotland when they tackle England at Twickenham next Saturday.
Although Wales lost a pulsating Guinness Six Nations clash 27-26 to the Scots, it could not overshadow the vintage rugby they conjured from nowhere.
Trailing by 27 points with almost half the game left, Wales were heading towards record Six Nations defeat territory at a frightening speed.
But four tries in 20 minutes from Dyer, James Botham, Aaron Wainwright and Alex Mann, plus three Ioan Lloyd conversions, left Scotland hanging on.
“We were in our shell during that first-half, ” Wales wing Dyer said.
“We were hitting it up and getting put on the back foot, so the only thing we could do then was to kick it.
“Gats (Wales head coach Warren Gatland) said at half-time: ‘let’s actually play, let’s go out there, we have got nothing to lose now. We are under the pump, so let’s go out and show what we can actually do’.
“He was softly spoken, he wasn’t shouting at people, he just brought the boys in and said we can’t be putting out performances like that in the first-half in the first game of the Six Nations.
“I think it was amazing to see how the boys stuck together.
“We are a young squad who have only been in camp for two weeks. It is just about getting used to each other, but throughout that second-half we showed what we could do.”
More of the same is likely to be required against England, whose recent Twickenham record in the fixture is an imposing one.
Wales have lost their last seven Tests in south-west London since claiming a 2015 World Cup pool win, with just two Six Nations victories – in 2008 and 2012 – since the competition expanded 24 years ago.
Dyer added: “I think that kind of second-half should give the boys the confidence to say we can back ourselves a little bit more than we did in the first-half.
“Personally, I just think it is that confidence to play. We need to back ourselves, and that was the message at half-time before we went back out there.
“Everyone is here for a reason, everyone has got things they can do, and let’s not go into our shells.
“It is about pushing ourselves as a young squad to build the momentum on to next week.”
Changes look likely to the Wales line-up against England, headlined by a fit-again George North’s anticipated return in midfield.
And given the considerable impact made by a number of his substitutes, Gatland could easily hand starts to players like scrum-half Tomos Williams, hooker Elliot Dee and prop Keiron Assiratti.
Gatland said: “We will go there (Twickenham) with a lot of confidence we can build on that second-half and belief. That is the biggest thing, really.
“I think we can go there and say we know what we want to do.”
Barry Connell remains at a loss to explain Marine Nationale’s disappointing performance in the Irish Arkle at Leopardstown on Saturday.
A brilliant winner of last season’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, the seven-year-old made a foot-perfect start to his career over fences at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting and was odds-on to add a third Grade One to his CV back at the Foxrock circuit.
However, while Marine Nationale briefly threatened to challenge rounding the home turn, he found little when push came to shove and was ultimately well beaten in fifth place.
Connell feels underfoot conditions may not have been ideal for his stable star, but will conduct further tests this week to try to discover if something else was amiss.
He said: “He seems fine this morning, but we’ll have to run a lot of further tests on him this week, so we won’t know until later in the week what the full clinical picture of him is.
“He’s sound anyway and seems to come out of the race OK, so we’re still a little bit in the dark.
“I’d say the ground definitely was harder going than it was at Christmas. They had no fresh ground, so it was probably tacky, holding ground, which wouldn’t be ideal.
“We just don’t know (what happened), but the horse had an off day and it won’t be until later in the week when we’ve finalised our checks on him.”
While Marine Nationale’s odds for the Arkle at Cheltenham next month obviously drifted in the aftermath of his defeat, he remains at the head of ante-post lists and Connell is hopeful he can show his true colours on his return to the Cotswolds.
He added: “Our intention is to just put a line through and head on to Cheltenham.
“He obviously showed a lot of speed in the Supreme last year, beating the winner from yesterday (Il Etait Temps) and Facile Vega (finished third on Saturday).
“Hopefully we’ll get spring ground at Cheltenham and he’s proven his liking for the track there.
“All these horses can get beat at some stage and unfortunately that was the case yesterday. We’ll just see if anything else emerges.”
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