Nt Field Minnesota and Paul Townend© Photo Healy Racing
Champion trainer Willie Mullins sent one horse to win at Thurles yesterday and repeated the feat with his only Downpatrick runner today, as Nt Field Minnesota (3/1) landed the I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle.
The Flemensfirth-mare was badly hampered by Kalanhis Flash's fall at halfway but recovered to eventually lead before the final flight, scoring readily from Kansas City Star
It was also jockey Paul Townend's only ride of the day and he reported "we were probably lucky not to be brought down when the horse fell in front of me - he (Kalanisi Flash) kept sliding in front of me and I was running out of room to get around him. She was good and got herself out of it.
“It didn't interfere with me that much, it cost me a length or two but I was happy to sit back there.
"The step up in trip really helped today and she handled the ground as well as we thought she would.
"Hopefully she will improve, she had a few runs in point-to-points but I'd say the main thing was the step up in trip today and we got a lot of luck as well."
Quotes from Michael Graham
