Townend doubles up aboard Civena The John Berry trained Civena held off the rallying Zadarska to take the Sam's Potatoes Maiden Hurdle providing her jockey Paul Townend with a quick double (won the second race aboard Casimir Road). The 6yo daughter of Oscar was sent off the 7/2 second favourite for the three mile contest after finishing second and third on her last two starts over hurdles. The point-to-point winner (Ballyragget, March 2011) chased the leaders early on and was sixth at the halfway stage. She made headway into third at the fifth last, improved to lead after four out and kept on well from after the last to hold off the challenge of Zadarska (7/1) & Ruby Walsh by half a length. For the fourth time in succession and the seventh in his career Shrapnel was sent off the favourite only for him to disappoint yet again. This evening he could only manage a well beaten third, sixteen lengths behind the front duo at the odds of 4/6 with Davy Russell aboard for Charles Byrnes. Husband & wife, Bill and Gladys Burke make up the winning Goforit Syndicate with their daughter Marie. They are from Fairyhouse and have five to six broodmares. They also had Savello with John Berry who is now with Tony Martin for Gigginstown House Stud. Bill Burke said afterwards: "She won her point-to-point first time out and she has been running on better ground recently. "John (Berry) is in France at a wedding and he will be delighted with this win." (On-course reporting by Michael Graham)
