Townend gets a winning tune out of Whiskey Lullaby

The Willie Mullins/Jody Townend partnership, that is ever successful in bumpers, landed the Fairyhouse Ladies Handicap Chase with Whiskey Lullaby

The 11/2 chance was delivered into contention racing to the final fence where she led narrowly with a good jump. Galon De Vauzelle was on her outer and refused to go down without a fight on the run-in, though. The pair disputed and fought their way to the line with Whiskey Lullaby getting the verdict by a short head from the 13/2 runner-up who was popular in the market. Halsafari 9/2 favourite, looked a contender after the penultimate fence, but dropped away at the last as he finished 11 lengths further back in third.

Mullins said: “Jody was very happy there was going to be plenty of pace in the race, so she took her time and may have even come a little too soon. She saw a great stride going to the last and took her chance.

“She doesn’t like being in front too long as we saw coming up the straight. When she was passed, Jody got another tune out of her to get her back up on the line.

“Jody and Paul (Townend, brother) have now won a race each on her and she’s a fun horse for the Blue Blood Racing Club.”

The Raceday Stewards interviewed Miss E. Cody, rider of Halsafari, concerning her use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned, Miss E. Cody accepted that she was in breach of Regulation 10 and apologised for her actions. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that Miss E. Cody was in breach of Regulation of 10.3(g)(frequency) and having considered her record they suspended her for two racedays.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee