Hey Sunshine defies top weight under Townend

Kilbeggan maiden winner Hey Sunshine (7/2) defied top weight of 12st 3lbs to claim the Northern Ireland On Course Bookmakers Association Novice Handicap Hurdle for Willie Mullins.

The Shantou mare jumped the last in third and looked to have plenty to do as odds-on favourite Tell Nobody Nothin left in front when Rockview Roman jinked and unseated Ben Harvey four out, looked to be keeping his rivals at bay with the loose horse giving him a lead.

Hey Sunshine showed good staying powers up the hill, though, and collared Tell Nobody Nothin in the final 50 yards to win by two-and-a-quarter lengths.

The five-year-old, owned by the Temple Bloodstock Hey Sunshine Syndicate, was ridden by Paul Towned who said: "She jumped very well on the whole for her lack of experience.

"She stayed really well - we were probably flat to the boards at the top of the hill but, when she met the rising ground, she stuck at it best of all.

"Giving a lot of weight away, so I think you can mark her handicap debut up.

"She is genuine and that is her biggest asset."

Quotes from Michael Graham