Airlie Beach and Paul Townend© Photo Healy Racing
Airlie Beach earned an 8/1 first quote from Paddy Power for the mares' novices' hurdle at the Cheltenham festival when remaining unbeaten in style after four starts in the Deacy Gilligan European Breeders Fund Mares Hurdle at Galway.
Having her first start away from Kilbeggan, the Shantou mare was touched off for favouritism by stable companion Retour En France
However, the victorious 6/5 shot, supplying Paul Townend with a double after his race one win on Cable went away from Ruby Walsh's mount Retour En France (9/10), from before the last.
The margin between the Willie Mullins pair at the line was five and a half lengths. There were sixteen lengths back to Thanks For Tea in third.
Patrick Mullins was on hand in the aftermath and he said: "That was very impressive and she is improving with every run. She showed a great turn of foot off a strong gallop and I think she could win on the Flat.
"The aim for the end of the summer is the Grade 3 mares' novice hurdle at Down Royal (in November) and if she keeps improving who's to say she's not worth her place in the mares' novice in Cheltenham.
"It was probably a big ask for the second mare (Retour En France), coming back off a two year absence and giving 5lbs to the race-fit winner. She is a big chaser though, and it was a good run and she'll improve an awful lot. She could run over fences at some stage soon."
(TW & EM)
