Willie Mullins© Photo Healy Racing
Robin De Carlow has some big shoes to fill as she puts her unbeaten record on the line in the Tom McCormack Memorial Cup at Kilbeggan this evening.
The Willie Mullins-trained five-year-old made an impressive start to her career when landing a Ballinrobe bumper in May and makes her first start since in this mares’ maiden hurdle.
Robin De Carlow’s owners the Supreme Horse Racing Club are bidding to claim this prize for the second time in three years, with the prolific Airlie Beach having made a successful start to her jumping career in this race in 2016.
Airlie Beach was retired last year having won nine of her 14 starts overall including the Grade One Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse.
Steve Massey, racing manager for the owners, said: “Robin De Carlow was very green at Ballinrobe, but she won nicely enough in the end.
“She’s a nice mare and although she’s not the biggest, she schooled well and we’re looking forward to getting her going over hurdles.
“If she turns out to be half as good as Airlie Beach, we’ll be delighted. We could never have dreamt Airlie Beach would end up doing what she did after she won this race a couple of years ago, but sometimes these mares keep improving and you never know where they might end up.”
Mullins also claimed last year’s renewal with Mystic Theatre and Robin De Carlow is likely to be a hot favourite to see off five rivals and complete the hat-trick for the champion trainer and Paul Townend.
