Townend reflects on rubber hurdles following Cork win

Luckinthecity (4/1) benefitted from a big step up in distance in winning Cork's I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Novice Hurdle today, scoring for owner/breeder Roger Brookhouse, jockey Paul Townend and trainer Willie Mullins.

By Brookhouse's own stallion Yorgonnabelucky, the five-year-old won his Kilbeggan maiden hurdle over two miles previously and today - over three miles, raced prominently throughout and rallied well for a short-head success over Millforce whose rider dropped his whip after the second-last.

Townend reported “the ground is as quick as any jump horse wants it but he handled it, although his jumping was in-and-out as he lost respect for the (rubber) hurdles from before halfway.

“It was a tough performance and I think the step up in trip brought about the improvement.”

Regarding the usage of rubber hurdles at both Cork and Wexford racecourses, the six-time champion jockey added “I don't mind them, but I think horses can lose a bit of respect for them. If you hit timber you lift your legs but these are soft and they can get away with plenty.

“The horses do have a look at them early-on, until they realise they can get away with it, but it is the way things are going with horse-safety in mind.”