Hauturiere jumps the last under Danny Mullins© Photo Healy Racing
Hauturiere completed a treble for Willie Mullins, as she made the breakthrough in the HAY "How Are Ya" Campaign Mares Maiden Hurdle.
Danny Mullins was completing a double on the French bred six-year-old, with Paul Townend (unwell) missing out on all three Closutton winners.
Second in this race 12 months ago, Hauturiere again filled the runner-up spot on her most recent start at Limerick and she was sent off the 11/10 favourite to go a place better this afternoon.
Settled behind the leaders, the chestnut victor blundered over three out and was soon pushed along in fourth.
However, she soon came back on the bridle and closed on the leaders, hitting the front before the next. Ridden clear on the approach to the last, she extended her advantage run-in, coming home 15 lengths to the good.
Backed from 9/2 to 7/2, Emily Roebling filled the runner-up spot under JJ Slevin, while newcomer Crumb Of Comfort (12s to 7s) kept on nicely to take third, a further three-and-a-half lengths away.
"I was a little bit concerned at the third last as the signals coming from Danny didn't look great but she was in behind a few horses and once he got clear and took her wide she just took off and I was very happy how she finished," the winning trainer, who earlier scored with Chavez and In Excess said.
"I've always thought a nice bit of her but was just disappointed we hadn't got her head in front. Today she got her head in front on very testing ground and she'll probably stay much further.
"I don't know if she's good enough but she'll probably get an entry in the Grade 1 here at Easter. She has a lot of experience to go to the mares novice hurdle in Cheltenham.
"It's hard to know how much she'll improve for the rest of the season, I'm hoping she will improve."
Mullins added: "Unfortunately Paul had a bit of a dose on him yesterday morning and he said he'd take the day off today. Hopefully he will be back tomorrow.
"It's great for Danny, tough for Paul but hopefully he will be back among the winners soon."
STEWARDS REPORT
Owing to the low trajectory of the sun, the Raceday Stewards granted permission for hurdle number five to be omitted from this race.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
