Letherbelucky jumps the last ahead of Audrelles Lad and Reafadda© Photo Healy Racing
Letherbelucky got back to winning ways as she took the Oran Novice Hurdle for trainer Willie Mullins with Paul Townend in the saddle.
The 5yo daughter of Luso won her bumper over 2m 4f at Wexford on her debut in April before easily winning her maiden hurdle over 2m at Punchestown in May.
Last time out she suffered her first defeat as she was beaten into second by Top Madam in a mares novice hurdle at Down Royal again over 2m last month.
Stepped back up in trip to 2m 4f today she chased the leaders early on and moved into a closer fourth approaching the straight.
She came with her challenge and got on terms from the third last and she kept on best from there hitting the front before the last and staying on well to score by a comfortable four and a half lengths.
The Oliver Brady trained Audrelles Lad ran well to take second at 10/1 under Matthew Bowes while Reafadda (7/1 into 4/1 on course) was a further six and a half lengths back in third on his hurdling debut for John Ryan and Davy Condon.
The winner was returned the 2/1 favourite, drifting from her morning price of 6/4 and her opening show on course of 15/8.
Winning rider Paul Townend, who was recording his thirteen success of the 2012-13 National Hunt campaign, said afterwards: “She jumped well and stuck at it well. They went a good even gallop. She switches off well and is very straightforward.”
Steve Massey from Yorkshire, representing the winning owners the Supreme Horse Racing Club, said afterwards: "That is the twelfth winner for the club since last September.
"We have fourteen in training with Willie Mullins and we just bought four more horses. We are going to have horses with Donald McCain too.
"Willie has done really well for us and we are delighted with how the club is going."
(On-course reporting by Alan Magee)
