Joy for favourite backers as Mullins mare wins under Townend

Lot Of Joy won for the second time over flights when proving too strong for main rival Royal Hollow in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Pat Walsh Memorial Mares Hurdle at Gowran Park.

In a race which only concerned the front two in the market from four out, the Willie Mullins trained six-year-old had to work hard before eventually getting the better of Royal Hollow.

Disputing for the first part of the contest, the pair went neck and neck to two out, before the 5/6f made her superior flat speed count in between the final two flights.

Pressing clear from the back of the last, Lot Of Joy went on to ultimately record a comfortable eight-and-a-half-lengths win.

“That was nice. Paul was keen to make a lot more use of her and make use of her jumping,” said Willie Mullins.

“He schooled her during the week and she was very good. The ground is fairly lively, a bit more than anticipated, so he wasn't afraid to make the running and have a good go with her. It paid off.

“The other mare seemed to change tactics, she jumped off behind us. We were assuming they would go on.

“I think she's improving and we'll try and find another race like that and keep her on the mares route.

“She might be ground dependent, better off on nicer ground and hopefully we'll get another month or six weeks.

“I think it's as strong as I ever had her going to the races and that was a little bit of a worry, that she looked too strong but she's obviously better being like that.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson.