Daryl Jacob hails El Fabiolo comeback win 'really impressive'

January 5, 2026

Daryl Jacob hailed El Fabiolo’s comeback win ‘really impressive’ as his revival mission began on a positive note.

A thoroughly talented former superstar of National Hunt racing, we aren’t too far removed from El Fabiolo being sent off a 2/9 favourite in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham.

The nine-year-old’s glittering career took a turn for the worse from there, pulling up after a bad mistake at the fifth fence and he hasn’t been the same since.

The son of Spanish Moon recorded his first victory in nearly two years on New Year’s Eve in the Make The Tote App Your New Year’s Resolution Hurdle at Punchestown, beating Glen Kiln by 8½ lengths.

Willie Mullins made the decision to go back over the smaller obstacles in light of the horse finishing just two of his last six starts over fences and El Fabiolo was trimmed from 66/1 into 25/1 for the Champion Hurdle.

State Man’s injury has left a gap to be filled at Closutton in the division and Paul Townend’s mount in the race will be confirmed after the Irish Champion Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival.

The gelding is facing a showdown with stablemate Lossiemouth, two from two at the top level this season with wins in the Morgiana and December Hurdles, as well as Gordon Elliott’s Brighterdaysahead.

The Grade 3 Red Mills Trial Hurdle at Gowran Park next month has also been touted as a potential target with the end goal most likely the Aintree Hurdle.

Jacob, a retired jockey who worked as retained rider to owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede from 2014 to his retirement in 2024, now advises and represents the double green outfit.

“We’ve really taken our time with him this year because we want to try and get it right. Thankfully, on his first run this season I thought it was a really impressive performance.

“I loved his enthusiasm. Danny (Mullins) was trying to take a pull and fill him up but he wanted to go forward. He pricked his ears at the last and really took it on.

“He will come on for the run, he wasn’t 100% tuned for that race. He’s a work in progress this year and hopefully we can look forward to some spring festivals with him.”

WATCH: El Fabiolo returns with a cosy victory at Punchestown

😍Things you love to see: EL FABIOLO is back to winning ways!

🟢 The switch back to hurdles does the trick, as he secures his first victory since landing the Dublin Chase in 2024.@WillieMullinsNH | @dan2231 | @punchestownrace pic.twitter.com/xbW6jHi29u

— Sporting Life Racing (@SportingLife) December 31, 2025

Boasting a thrilling engine and turn of foot, if Mullins can get El Fabiolo back to peak shape there’s no reason why he can’t be competitive at this level.

He seemed to fall out of love with chasing towards the back end of his time in that sphere, hitting the deck in four of his last five starts.

The 2023 Arkle hero was running a huge race and sure to give Champion Chaser Marine Nationale a run for his money in April’s Punchestown renewal when falling two out.

Confidence was at an all-time low but getting his head in front again with a clean round is sure to do the world of good and he isn’t one to dismiss lightly going forward.