Punchestown Festival Report and previewMaybe there was a certain irony to yesterday's Heineken Gold Cup being run in a rain shower but the Doumen team was too happy to notice.
First Gold's power-packed defeat of Rince Ri gave France a first ever success at the Punchestown Festival and confirmed the return to form of a true star.
The significance was not lost on Francois Doumen who was one of the few to retain faith in the former King George hero after a descent into a form doldrum.
The fact that that slump coincided with a reported €500,000 purchase price by J P McManus can't have helped the suave French trainer's stress levels but it can only have added to the pleasure yesterday.
"I am so happy for everyone involved to win here, and especially for J P," said Doumen as the rain poured down. "I don't feel any rain - and it won't stop the result!"
As expected, after a fraught build-up to the big race, Beef Or Salmon and Harbour Pilot were taken out because of the ground. But Rince Ri was allowed take his chance and Ted Walsh's horse made the most of it.
He was the only danger to First Gold in the straight but Thierry Doumen had paced the race to perfection and First Gold added to his Martell Cup victory at Liverpool by six lengths.
"No one can follow him when he is in that mood," declared Doumen Jnr who added: "This means a lot, to come here for the festival and win for JP. And because we are father and son."
McManus, who also won Tuesday's highlight with Flagship Uberalles, looked on approvingly and said: "There was nowhere to hide out there. There were a few teething problems with the horse but Francois never lost confidence."
A mistake six out didn't help Florida Pearl's chance while Conor O'Dwyer reported "no excuses" for Native Upmanship.
However, Foxchapel King, who finished last, sustained an injury to his off-fore suspensory and has been retired.
The other Grade One prize, the Paddy Power Champion Bumper, also went for export, this time to the Nicky Henderson-trained Royal Rosa. However, the win also presented Henderson with a headache.
"We have to find someone to buy him now! he declared. "The rules of the Million In Mind syndicate are that the horses have to be sold at the end of the season, like Mysilv and Mr Banjo."
Aidan Fitgerald's winning ride received praise from Henderson who has until the Doncaster Sales later this month to do a deal.
The well-backed favourite Kickham was beaten half a mile out and that typified the sort of day it was for punters.
Aye Aye Popeye and Crimson Flower provided a couple of 20 to 1 skinners in the first two races and although Willie Mullins provided the winner of the novice handicap chase, it was not the winner most punters wanted.
Hedgehunter started an 11 to 4 favourite but just when he looked to have the race in his hands, along came his 12 to 1 stable-mate Rule Supreme to flash past to the tune of three and a half lengths.
"Hedgehunter would have liked a bit more give but the three horses I ran there all ran well. They look types for staying chases next season although Rule Supreme might just get to a step higher than handicaps," Mullins said.
Sheltering's attempt at four in a row in the Champion Hunters Chase was foiled by What Odds, who carried the colours of the Dee Syndicate, made famous by Monty's Pass in the Grand National at Liverpool.
JP McManus's colours hit the mark again in the Ladies Cup over the banks course when Buailtes And Fadas and John Thomas McNamara held off the late rattle of Line Your Pockets.
Yesterday's bumper 22,000 crowd bet a course Tote record of €950,741. It beat the previous best of €813,198 in 2000.
The bookmaker turnover was €2,654,137 compared to €2,353,700 last year. A total of €584,564 was bet on the Champion Bumper alone.
