Where's My Jet runs his rivals ragged in Killarney opener

Despite proving friendless with punters, Where's My Jet dominated from the front in the opener at Killarney this afternoon, the Laurels Bar & Restaurant Maiden Hurdle.

The winner of a bumper at Tramore last November, the Willie Mullins-trained five-year-old finished down the field on his debut over flights at Galway last month.

As short as 9/2 in early shows for this two-mile heat, he eventually went off a 10/1 chance under Paul Townend in the colours of the Two Lucky Men Partnership.

Left in front on the approach to the first after stable companion Mr Escobar ran out, the Jet Away bay soon had the field well-strung out as he established a healthy lead.

While his advantage was reduce on the approach to the straight, he went on again after the third last and was ridden out in the closing stages to see off Hashtag Pretender (7/2) by four-and-a-half lengths.

The front pair were 15-lengths clear of Itsalladream (28/1) in third, while Chally Chute (6/4f) faded in the straight and eventually finished a well-beaten fifth.

"He covers plenty of ground and while he's not fast, he maintains a good gallop. Dropping back in trip, we were always going to let him belt along," Townend commented.

"He was keen in Galway so we left him gallop along and he prefers doing that. He jumps brilliantly so we made use of that. I thought we went a good gallop with no hiding places and we stayed going.

"It was nice to get a win with him, he has point-to-pointed and he can go jumping fences as well."

STEWARDS REPORTS

Following a request from broadcasters, the Raceday Stewards granted permission for a 2 minute delay to this race

J.W. Kennedy, rider of Chally Chute, trained by M. Halford & T. Collins, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount landed awkwardly at the back of a few hurdles and weakened in the straight.

B. Hayes, rider of Mr Escobar, trained by W.P. Mullins, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount ran out at the first hurdle.

J.G. Gilligan, rider of Itsalladream, trained by Paul John Gilligan, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount hung left.

The Raceday Stewards requested a report from W.P. Mullins, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of Where's My Jet, placed first, as compared with its recent form. Rachael Robins, Authorised Rep for the trainer reported that a drop back in trip and a change of tactics today brought about the improvement. Having considered the report the Raceday Stewards noted the content of the report.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes