Mullinavat jumps the last for Davy Russell© Photo Healy Racing
Davy Russell finally got his name on the scoresheet at Thurles as Mullinavat justified prohibitive odds in division one of the Templemore Handicap Hurdle.
The former champion jockey was on the wrong side of close finishes in the previous two races on the card but made no mistake here on the 1/3 favourite.
The Henry de Bromhead-trained gelding was completing a hat-trick following wide-margin wins at Tramore both over fences and hurdles.
The eight-year-old was all the rage as the handicapper has put him up 20lb in future handicaps but he got in here with just a 6lb penalty for a win last Thursday.
Russell’s mount was prominent throughout and, after asserting before the final flight, was just pushed out on the run-in to score by two and a half lengths. Hughies Bay finished well to take second spot, with Turasoir three quarters of a length away in third and She’s A Survivor completing the places close up in fourth.
