True Self lands the odds in style

True Self maintained her unbeaten record since joining Willie Mullins this year when justifying short odds in the Templemore Mares Maiden Hurdle at Thurles.

The dual bumper winner was sent off at 2/5 here for her jumping debut, and Brian Hayes waited until approaching the final flight before sending her to the front.

She quickly stretched clear from Flamingo’s Court, who made a mistake at the last, to score by six and a half lengths.

Very few got involved in this 15-runner event, with Mysloegin a further 17 lengths back away in third.

Patrick Mullins said, "Her jumping will improve and it's good to know she can handle soft ground as well. She has plenty of gears and will go back on the Flat eventually but we'll keep going jumping over the winter.

"It's great for Brian and Neville Eager is his sponsor. Brian was involved with selling her to Neville so that's why he rode her today.

"Brian did it very well and deserves all the opportunities he gets and is a hard working fellow. He is in riding out once a week for us and it's his first winner for us. He's also my landlord so I might get a week's rent from this!

"She didn't cost a huge amount but is now three from three."

Hayes said, “I got the ride because she’s owned by my sponsor Neville Eager who owns Ard Glen Construction. He's now given me winners for Shark Hanlon, Sandra Hughes and Willie Mullins.

“I took a lead for as long as I could. She is still green and ran around a bit going to the last.”

(TW & AM)