Arbor the Champ in Downpatrick opener Arbor Des Champs justified favouritism in the opener at Downpatrick, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle. The Emmet Mullins trained six-year-old won a bumper at Tramore last June, and filled the runner-up spot on her first two efforts over flights. Sent off the 13/8 favourite this afternoon, she was settled behind the leaders by David Mullins, before improving to lead from the fifth, soon going on. Her advantage was reduced before two out where she made a mistake, but she soon went on again, coming home an easy nineteen length victor. Field Robin (5/1 to 7/2) filled the runner-up spot under Eamonn Corbett for Jarlath Fahey, while Isn't She Lovely (16/1) was another eight and a half lengths back in third for Conor Maxwell and Jerry Cosgrave. David Mullins said afterwards: "She could have been tidier with a few jumps she put in that were erratic. She does everything right - she travels well and she'll get black type somewhere along the line. She's a lovely big mare and she might even jump a fence. "The ground is beautiful, it nearly always is up here. They do a great job." STEWARDS REPORTS * The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Theatre Dreams, trained by Henry de Bromhead, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be blowing hard post race. * A.E. Lynch, rider of Theatre Dreams trained by Henry de Bromhead, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount finished flat. Additional reporting by Michael Graham
