Sea Music shocks at Punchestown in family finish
Emmet Mullins turned heads with one of the standout training efforts of the afternoon as Sea Music (14), ignored at 28-1, surged late to seize the QuinnBet Novice Handicap Chase in dramatic style. In a compelling family face-off, it was Emmet’s charge who outbattled Blizzard of Oz (2) in the final strides — denying uncle Willie Mullins a clean sweep on a week he’s otherwise controlled.
The race built gradually — tightly bunched early, with no runaway move. Native Speaker (10) was prominent from the flag, travelling with intent but offering little when it counted. The drying ground set up a fair jumping test, though Neveradullmoment (16) pulled up before the closing third, and there was one faller — horse and rider both reported fine.
As they straightened, the mood shifted. Sea Music, poised under Donagh Meyler, moved with economy and control. At the second last, he joined Blizzard of Oz, J J Slevin scrubbing hard to hold position. It looked, briefly, like Joseph O’Brien’s runner might claw it back — but Meyler was holding more. Sea Music found again after the last, and held by a neck.
Behind them, Lisnagar Fortune (17) boxed on well for third under Danny Mullins — a notable breakthrough in Listed company for Denis Fitzgerald. Common Practice (3) kept his form ticking in fourth, part of a five-strong McManus squad, three of whom made the top six.
Listentillitellyea (20) ran well beyond market signals to take fifth, while Drumgill (9) grabbed sixth in a race that stayed honest and open deep into the final strides.
It was a fiercely competitive edition of the €100,000 feature, and the closing stretch didn’t disappoint. “You could throw a blanket over them turning in,” said one on-course observer — and they weren’t wrong. The sun was up, the stands were alive, and as Sea Music came back in with Emmet Mullins at the head, the moment landed.
For Meyler, a ride of cool precision. For Emmet Mullins, a sharp reminder that the family name still echoes on both sides of the winner’s board. Willie might be bossing the week — but in this one, the nephew struck the note.
