Heia trounces her rivals under Townend

Heia in the colours of Kenny Alexander, trounced her six rivals in the Play Ladbrokes 5-A-Side On Football Mares Novice Hurdle.

A winner at Fairyhouse in February, the Willie Mullins trained five-year-old was last seen finishing second to Anna Bunina in the Listed Tourist Attraction Hurdle at Killarney.

Sent off the 7/4 second favourite this afternoon, the French bred daughter of No Risk At All raced in second in the early stages, improving into a definite lead before the fifth.

Briefly joined four out, she had all her rivals in trouble from the second last but never came off the bridle herself, coming home ten lengths to the good. Naughtinesse who was sent off the 10/11 favourite (from 7/4 in early shows) finished second under Conor Orr for Lorna Fowler, while Sadie's Pride was another seven lengths back in third.

"We were probably going a stride slow early on to use her jumping so I elected to jump past Danny at the one at the top of the hill and just boss the race from there," said Townend.

"She was entitled to do that on her handicap form, she had a good run in Killarney and Fairyhouse. We had to use her experience in the end.

"She likes nice ground. I've seen smaller and worse jumpers jump a fence so that's definitely an option for her.

"I'd imagine they'll win what they can over hurdles first."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson