Robin De Carlow and Paul Townend in action© Photo Healy Racing
Robin De Carlow was a clear-cut winner of the opening mares' maiden hurdle in Kilbeggan despite blundering at the last.
Willie Mullins' 8/13 favourite tanked along for Paul Townend before easing past front-running Sunrise Lady on the home bend of this extended two mile three contest.
The five-year-old mare stretched clear but met the last all wrong, however, she was soon back on an even keel to score by seven lengths.
Sunrise Lady (7/1) kept on in second, some four and a quarter lengths in front of Pocket Dial
When asked about the scare at the last, Paul Townend replied:- “The second-last was a bit the same. It was only her second day at school and she was green in front again.
“She improved a lot experience-wise from the first day and she'll improve again for that. It will bring her on a ton in every way.
“She ran behind the bridle in her bumper but she carried me today, that was a big step up for her and I think there is as much improvement again.
“A couple of good mares have won this race. She has a long way to go to get into their league but she couldn't have started off any better anyway.”
This was Robin De Carlow's first crack at hurdles having enjoyed a victory in a mares' bumper at Ballinrobe in May.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
