Willie Mullins’ domination of the Grade 2 Clonmel Oil Chase continued when Saint Sam galloped his rivals into the ground under Paul Townend.
Following a comfortable victory in a conditions hurdle over two miles and two furlongs at Auteuil in France last time, Saint Sam was sent off the 6/4 favourite on his return to fences.
As expected, Saint Sam bowled along into a clear advantage from flag fall and although the Joseph O'Brien-trained Solness briefly attempted to mount a challenge as the pair turned for home, Willie Mullins' seven-year-old had enough up his sleeve to see off the running on Fil Dor by six and a half lengths.
"It's incredible and it feels like he's been around for a long long time. He is a hardy bit of stuff, has his way of doing it and you're a passenger on him, as much as anything," Townend told Racing TV.
"He is maturing but he's just so strong, when he clouts a fence, he just gallops away from the back of it. You do have to manage him, he's one you wouldn't fancy facing every Monday morning! All credit to the lads at home.
"I had a little look behind and was surprised he (Solness) was coming with me, but that doesn't really affect my horse, as he is half-daft.
"In France the last day James Reveley (aboard runner-up Gallipoli) took me on very early in the race, but we were still going the same gallop. He is a big, strong horse so when he makes a mistake, he just gallops away from it.
"He is so hard on himself, but there is fire in his belly, and he is a great servant for those races."
Townend was out of luck earlier on the card when Allegorie De Vassy, who was a well-fancied 1/3 favourite, fluffed her lines the T.A. Morris Memorial Irish EBF Mares Chase.
Many would have expected last year's winner to land the prize for Townend and Mullins on her reappearance, but after a less-than-fluent jumping display throughout the writing was on the wall turning for home.
The prize still went the way of Mullins however with Pink In The Park, who travelled kindly for much of the contest, picking up strongly from the back of the last to beat Thomas Gibney's Must Be Obeyed by four lengths under Danny Mullins. Allegorie De Vassy finished a disappointing fourth.
"It was a good performance. She took on the geldings the last day (in the BetVictor Novice Chase) and while we were disappointed, she ran a respectable fourth," said Mullins of the 11/2 winner.
"That probably sharpened her, she jumped great across the top and battled well at the finish.
"I didn't think I'd be beating Allegorie, but you never know, especially with mares, and these races can often throw up funny results. She has had a good consistent summer and is going the right way.
"I won on her brother Mister Pink in Punchestown recently, they're a good breed so people could be lining up for the next one."
