Born In Purple and Paul Townend pictured on their way to victory© Photo Healy Racing
With the defection of her market rivals Sansrisk and Mexican Moonshine, Born In Purple had an easy time of it in the opener at Listowel this afternoon, the Buckley Agri New Holland Irish EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle.
Successful on the level in France and bought by current connections for E55,000, the Born To Sea five-year-old was second on her first three starts over flights.
A faller when beaten at Down Royal most recently, the Willie Mullins-trained bay was expected to make amends today, going off the clear favourite at 2/5.
Making all under Paul Townend, the Donald Galt-owned victor jumped slightly right throughout. Pushed along from the second last, she soon increased her advantage, eventually coming home nine-lengths to the good.
Formerly trained by Mullins and now in the care of Nicky Stokes, Vasda Queen (7/1) filled the runner-up spot, while point-to-point winner Regards To Rose was another eight-lengths away in third.
"She had been bridesmaid a few times so it was a nice opportunity with all the non-runners," Townend reflected.
"She tipped up in the north the last day when it was late-on and it was one of those things, but on the whole she is a good jumper, although she would prefer going the other way around. She was a bit awkward out in front but deserved her day.
"I don't think she enjoyed the ground but handled it and we got the best of it, on a lovely strip down the inside."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
