Elfile keeps good day going for Mullins and Townend at Thurles

Willie Mullins and Paul Townend doubled their Thurles score when Elfile (2/5) won the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Hurdle from stable companion My Sister Sarah (5/2). Royal Rendezvous took the opening beginners chase for Closutton and here the Kenny Alexander-owned Elfile made all, asserting approaching the last.

Pushed out and keeping on up the run-in, the successful daughter of Saint Des Saints warded off My Sister Sarah (Danny Mullins) by half a length.

"It was a good return for both fillies and it was a form book result and they both jumped well," said Mullins.

"Sister Sarah took a bigger blow and we'll look for fillies and mares' contests for them over Christmas and in the new year. Both will stay hurdling for the time being and both would want further but the conditions of the race suited them."

(TW & EM)