The Willie Mullins-trained Total Recall has ended the Irish drought with a thrilling victory in the Ladbrokes Trophy Chase at Newbury.
The eight-year-old got up close home to collar Whisper and become the first Irish winner of the prestigious staying handicap, formerly known as the Hennessy Gold Cup, since Bright Highway in 1980.
It was even sweeter for Mullins as Be My Royal was first past the post in 2002, only to be subsequently disqualified after testing positive to a banned substance caused by contaminated feed.
Many horses have landed the Ladbrokes Trophy on their way to Cheltenham Gold Cup glory and it is a path Total Recall could take.
“It is a race that any jumps trainer wants to win,” Mullins said. “It’s a fantastic race and we have just got to hold on to it this time. It (Be My Royal) was very disappointing at the time, but hopefully that is laid to rest.
“We will look at more handicaps, but we will have to look if he is better than that. We will let him get over this and recover.
“He will definitely get an entry in the Gold Cup after that run.”
