Concertista all class as Mullins and Townend double up A daughter of Nathaniel like the mighty Enable, Cheltenham heroine Concertista won her first race in Ireland, giving Willie Mullins and Paul Townend a Fairyhouse double in the Grade Two Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Hurdle. The victorious chestnut showed the pace she displayed when hugely impressive in the mares´ novices´ in the Cotswolds last March, to easily justify her place as marginal market leader. Building on the Closutton gains from earlier with Monkfish, the 6/4 shot cruised by 13/8 chance Minella Melody on the run-in, to score by a length and three parts, after getting a patient steer from the champion jockey. “That trip wasn’t any problem to her. We’ll probably look for something at Christmas and whether it’s a mares’ race or she takes on the boys I’m not sure,” said Mullins. For the Mares’ Hurdle Paddy Power go 6/1 (from 10/1) about Concertista. “Monkfish was very impressive. Paul was pleased with him and I had to be as well. He’ll aim for Christmas,” further reflected Mullins on the earlier performance of his exciting young chaser. “He’s grown up a lot since he was beaten over hurdles here about a year ago. His jumping was very accurate and it looks like fences will be his job.” Owing to the trajectory of the sun, the Stewards granted permission for hurdle number five to be omitted from race four and race five. The Stewards interviewed Rachael Blackmore, rider of Minella Melody, concerning her use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned, who stated that she felt her mount was going to lean on the railing which caused her to use her whip in quick succession as a precautionary measure. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards accepted the explanation offered and took no further action. (AM & EM)
