The 2020 edition of the Goffs Thyestes Chase was the latest big race that Total Recall added to his CV following his five and a half length victory at Gowran Park on Thursday.
Since winning his maiden point-to-point at Rathmorrissey in 2014 for Gerard Neilan, the Westerner gelding has won a Munster National, the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury, and a Grade B at the Dublin Racing Festival, but the now 11-year-old entered the Thyestes not having won since that victory at the inaugural Dublin Racing Festival almost three years ago.
Sent off as a 16/1 shot, Danny Mullins positioned his Uncle Willie’s charge in mid-division before steadily taking closer order on the final circuit in a race that was run under a veil of fog.
Once hitting the front entering the home straight, he had plenty left in the tank to ultimately defeat Class Conti in the €100,000 contest, with another former point-to-pointer, Minella Fair, back in third.
The victory of Total Recall was a seventh within the last nine years for former Irish Pointers, who have now won the race for the last five years on the bounce.
“It’s a huge day here and it’s like what the Kerry National is to Kerry — this is our National up here!” said the locally-based winning trainer.
“I didn’t think he could win another big handicap after winning the Munster National and the Ladbroke at Newbury.
“He’ll stay and stay all day but when you miss the break on him I didn’t think he’d have the gears to get back into the race.”
Following the success, Total Recall was introduced as a 25/1 shot for the Grand National at Aintree, a race that he was sent off as the favourite for last year before ultimately pulling up.
Total Recall is back to form with a vengeance, the former Ladbrokes Trophy hero much the best in the €100,000 Goffs Thyestes Chase.
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) January 23, 2020
Not a bad afternoon for Willie Mullins! @GowranPark1 @Goffs1866 @dan2231
Results â%u017E¡ https://t.co/glajGV55GR pic.twitter.com/GZYzyffdqp
