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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Mullins and Townend at double through Quai De Bourbon

Thu 14th Dec 2023, 13:42

Quai De Bourbon and Paul Townend, near sideQuai De Bourbon and Paul Townend, near side
© Photo Healy Racing

Willie Mullins introduced another French import to make a winning debut in Ireland as Quai De Bourbon justified favouritism in the extended 2m3f maiden hurdle at Naas.

This brought up a double for Mullins and Paul Townend who also took the opening beginners' chase with Blood Destiny

The Ivanhowe gelding relinquished a share of the lead when he slowed into three out but Townend, who utilised the inner route, soon had him in a narrow lead before the next.

The 11/10 favourite stayed on best after the last as Fenway Park gave ultimately futile chase. The 'jolly' toughed it out by four and a-half lengths from the 6/1 runner-up. The gambled-on Will Wilde (9/1 - 7/2) kept on for third, beaten 10 lengths by the winner.

Townend said: “He’s a stayer and is still quite raw for a lad that had two runs in France.

"I’d say it was lack of concentration, so I gave him a slap and, when I let him on, it (the last) was the best hurdle he jumped.

“He’s a staying type and one you would associate with these colours (Gigginstown House Stud).”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee

About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.