WILLIE MULLINS admitted 'I don't know what I'm going to do!' after one of his biggest Punchestown Festival wins was criticised by punters.
Jody Townend was fantastic in the saddle as she switched off Redemption Day before getting him to spark into life and fly home in the Grade 1 bumper on Wednesday.
Redemption Day is a seven-year-old gelding and was a year older than two other horses in the race, and two years older than eight of the other runners.
They all carried the same weight (12st) in the top level contest, with four-year-old Shuttle Diplomacy lumbered with it as well.
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Redemption Day was sent off 9-2 and beat Gordon Elliott's 16-1 runner-up The Yellow Clay by an easy three-and-three-quarter lengths.
No one else got close with 6-1 William Munny, trained by Barry Connell, a further seven lengths back in third.
It was a hugely important first Grade 1 win for Townend - the sister of Mullins' No1 jockey Paul Townend.
But the victory didn't sit well with everyone.
Bumpers are meant as educational races for National Hunt horses, usually over one season.
No obstacles are jumped and they give horses the chance to experience racecourses before being sent over hurdles - or occasionally straight to fences.
But this was Redemption Day's eighth run in a bumper, having finished runner-up to Facile Vega in the same race two years ago.
He made his debut in December 2021 and had 611 days off the track owing to injury.
By comparison, most other horses in the race had made their debuts either earlier this calendar year or earlier this season.
Some punters thought it was unfair that Redemption Day was allowed to compete on level terms being so much older and with much more experience.
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But Mullins was simply using the rules to his advantage.
However, one punter wrote: "Tough one to take as Redemption Day beats us running in his 1000th bumper. Rules need to change."
While another said: "Change the rules FFS. Redemption Day running in his 400th bumper is a joke."
And another wrote: "Great horse and all but getting a bit sick of Redemption Day running in bumpers."
While a fellow punter posted: "Redemption Day a horse I loved in the past but have gained a disliking for. A pure joke that he can run in bumpers still."
Mullins initially joked he didn't know what he was going to do with the horse before confirming he will finally go hurdling next season.
He said: "This horse missed a year and I thought he could be Champion Bumper material.
"I thought that Iâd rather do that than go hurdling. He can go hurdling next season.
"He followed Facile Vega home here two years ago and that sort of form stands up every day of the week. It paid off!"
While a delighted Jody added: "That was unbelievable. I can't put it into words."
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