Gary Carson
Townend & Mullins double up with Whiteout
Whiteout (nearest) tackles Zafayan at the last
© Photo Healy Racing
Whiteout showed a smart turn of foot to settle matters in good style on her Irish debut in the Shantou At Burgage Stud at Gowran Park this afternoon.
The German-bred filly gave Willie Mullins and Paul Townend a double on the card following the earlier success of Champagne Fever
Things looked to be going to plan for 4/9 favourite Zafayan as he hit the front two out in the two-miler.
Long-time leader Madfuninthewest fell there, hampering both Sam Red and Asknotwhat
4/1 shot Whiteout gave chase to the hotpot going to the last and hit the front soon after the final flight, going on for a convincing three-length success.
"She wasn't jumping great in the middle of them. Paul brought her out for a bit of daylight and she was much happier," said Mullins afterwards.
"She got her second wind after the fourth last and did it well. It was her first run over hurdles and it's nice when they surprise you like that.
"They don't all cost fortunes. She was bought out of a claimer in France for reasonable money."
(Additional reporting by Alan Mage)