Trainer Willie Mullins has won a 10th Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown.
Saldier took the win for the Carlow handler, Henry De Bromhead's Petit Mouchoir battled back to finish second with pre-race favourite Klassical Dream third.
On his first start for over a year, Saldier storms home to win the @UnibetRacing Morgiana Hurdle at @punchestownrace, with Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner Klassical Dream only third! 👏
A tenth victory in the Grade One contest for @WillieMullinsNH! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/st98dCFeeA
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) November 16, 2019
🗣️"That's why he's a master."
"We've always liked Saldier, but it was just whether he would come back from his injury," Willie Mullins said after the race.
Danny Mullins (@dan2231) says @WillieMullinsNH giving Saldier a year off the track has paid dividends for the @UnibetRacing Morgiana Hurdle winner @punchestownrace pic.twitter.com/GBhqYV8JtS
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) November 16, 2019
"His nose was in bits, but we decided not to have it operated and let nature take its course. We had the same trouble with Briar Hill, but operating on him didn't work.
"His run in the Fishery Lane (behind Espoir D'Allen) showed us he could be Grade One material.
"He quickened up well at the last and won like a nice horse. Hopefully they will all improve.
"Klassical Dream threw himself at the first hurdle and then he was just too keen. I think he'll improve from that, and a stronger gallop will help them all too.
"Patrick (Mullins) was never happy on Sharjah. I'd imagine he wanted the run badly and he'd want better ground.
"It has been a lucky race for us, not always with the first string, but they are all there doing their best and that's what happens."
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