Hauturiere impresses to give Mullins and Townend a double

Hauturiere really took to fences on chasing debut at Killarney and showed a lovely turn of foot to leave her rivals in her wake.

Willie Mullins' charge won twice over hurdles, including in Listed class, and was also runner-up in a Grade 3 mares' novices' hurdle at Limerick in March.

That turn of foot was deployed by Paul Townend after the second-last fence and she soon had her rivals in trouble as she moved clear before the last.

The six-year-old mare galloped in by a very healthy 10 lengths to pay out favourite backers at 6/5.

Her stablemate, Eabha Grace took second at 9/2 by a head from Roseys Hollow (5/2).

This brought up a double for Mullins and Paul Townend who won the preceding race on the card with Saldier

Townend said: “It took her a while to get the hang of jumping hurdles but she jumped fences much better.

"I thought they went quite quick for what they were and I was happy to let it all happen in front of me. She came home well.

“I was at the pin of my collar at times and that to me said we were going a proper gallop.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee