De Bromhead's mare makes an impact at Punchestown, eyes Cheltenham glory.
Gallop Marceau, a mare with two Grade One victories under her belt, faced a setback, finishing third as Hispanic Moon clinched the Bet Victor Quevega Mares Hurdle title at Punchestown.
In the previous season, Gallop Marceau engaged in fierce competition with Lossiemouth, another mare from Willie Mullins' stable. Despite registering a win at the Dublin Racing Festival, Gallop Marceau was outpaced by her stablemate at the Cheltenham Triumph Hurdle and Punchestown. However, the season did end on a high note with a top-level triumph in France.
Returning to action at Doncaster, Gallop Marceau was bested by Ashroe Diamond, another Mullins mare. Anticipated to shine at Grade Three level on home ground, she fell short at Punchestown, struggling in the challenging conditions.
Ridden by Paul Townend, the 2-7 favourite Gallop Marceau showed promise but faded as the race progressed. Meanwhile, Henry de Bromhead's Hispanic Moon, at 11-2 odds, surged ahead, leaving Saylavee to play catch up.
Hispanic Moon's impressive victory prompted bookmakers to slash her odds for the Cheltenham Festival Mares' Hurdle to 16-1 from 50-1. In contrast, Gallop Marceau's odds were adjusted to 12-1 from 7-1, with Lossiemouth leading as the 1-2 favourite.
Trainer Robbie Power expressed delight with Hispanic Moon's performance, noting a significant improvement from a previous disappointing run. The mare exhibited exceptional form, leaving hope for further success, potentially at the Cheltenham Festival.
On the other hand, Mullins expressed disappointment with Gallop Marceau's performance, attributing it to her keenness during the race. Despite no apparent issues, the mare's lacklustre display raised concerns, leaving the team puzzled by the outcome.