Impressive So Young regains the winning habit
So Young, a beaten favourite in Grade 1 company at both the Cheltenham and Punchestown Festivals last term, made a winning seasonal reappearance at Punchestown on Sunday in the Paul Carberry Autobiography Best Seller Hurdle and looks to be very much back in the groove, writes Elliot Slater.
Admittedly, the opposition on Sunday was nowhere near as strong as the tasks he faced last spring, but the five-year-old could do no more than win in impressive fashion by 11-lengths from Fully Funded, justifying odds-on favouritism with the minimum of fuss and proving that he has no stamina issues in easily coping with the step up to two-miles-six-furlongs. The gelded son of Lavirco is now expected to move up to three miles at Leopardstown's feature Christmas meeting on his next outing, although Mullins suggested that if he appears none the worse for Sunday's run he might consider tackling the Grade 1 Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse on December 4 over two-and-a-half miles. Those looking at the date of Cheltenham Gold Cup 2012 should remember this.
So Young joined Mullins last October having won three of his four French bumper races and duly made a big impression when defeating 23 rivals on his Irish debut in a maiden hurdle at Leopardstown. He carried his penalty to victory with nonchalant ease at Punchestown six weeks later and was duly made 11/4 favourite to land the Neptune Investment Management Novices Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival last March. A close second when blundering badly at the final flight, Ruby Walsh's mount eventually finished third to countryman First Lieutenant. Those following the Grand National free betting should bear this in mind.
Clearly 'over the top' when a very disappointing last of the six runners when a hot favourite to win the Grade 1 Cathal Ryan Memorial Champion Novice Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival in May, the summer break appears to have done So Young the power of good and he could well be a force to be reckoned with at Cheltenham this time around. Generally on offer for the World Hurdle at 16/1, So Young has also entered the Champion Hurdle market at 33/1 follow his winning seasonal bow.
