Stratum provided Willie Mullins with his second successive victory in the Emirates Cesarewitch at Newmarket, getting the better of Party Playboy, trained by Willie's brother Tony Mullins, by half a length.
Ireland's perennial champion National Hunt trainer saddled the first two home in last year's renewal of the £350,000 contest, with Low Sun getting the better of stable companion Uradel in a thrilling finish.
Mullins was again well represented, with the Frankie Dettori-ridden Buildmeupbuttercup and William Buick's mount Great White Shark both prominent in the betting - but it was the outsider of the three who struck gold at 25-1 in the hands of Jason Watson.
Stratum provides Willie Mullins with back-to-back victories in the Emirates Cesarewitch @NewmarketRace
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) October 12, 2019
🏆 2019 - Stratum
🏆 2018 - Low Sun
👏🏻 What a 24 hours for jockey @Jason7Watson1 too following Quadrilateral's victory in the Fillies' Mile yesterday! pic.twitter.com/tlE8jP8sal
Disappointing when well-fancied for this race a year ago, the Tony Bloom-owned six-year-old has largely failed to fire in valuable handicaps both on the Flat and over hurdles since.
He was a ready winner of a minor event on his most recent Flat start at Killarney, but was turned over as the 1-4 favourite on his latest appearance over hurdles at Listowel.
However, he was back on-song in this fiercely competitive two-and-a-quarter-mile contest, knuckling down in the closing stages to see off Party Playboy (50-1) and Summer Moon (50-1).
🗣 "Jason was very cool on him"
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) October 12, 2019
An exciting National Hunt team awaits the master of Closutton!
First off - successive victories in the Emirates Cesarewitch Handicap for Willie Mullins @NewmarketRace
Stratum could also go back over hurdles! pic.twitter.com/slLenNRjk8
