Anzadam and Paul Townend© Photo Healy Racing
Anzadam looks another smart French recruit for Willie Mullins and owner Marie Donnelly following an impressive victory on his Irish debut in the Grade 3 WillowWarm Hurdle at Fairyhouse.
The Authorized gelding won twice in his native land before joining current connections and was patiently ridden by Paul Townend.
The 5/2 (from 7/2) chance quickened to the front approaching the final flight and despite being far from fluent at the last, stretched clear on the run-in to easily beat Kala Conti by six and a half lengths. Dodger Long was a further two and a quarter lengths back in third.
Mullins and Townend were completing a treble on the day having earlier won with Impaire Et Passe and Ballygunner Castle
Townend said, "Obviously he wears the hood, and was keen in France, so I was anxious to get him to settle first but he actually settled brilliantly.
“He's been forward at home but he did everything really well. I wasn't going to light him up, I let them come around me down around the bottom.
“When I pulled him out he flew and it took a long time to pull him up.”
Quotes by Gary Carson
