The Dermot Weld trained Unaccompanied under Paul Townend, put herself right in line for Cheltenham honours, having maintained her unbeaten status over hurdles with an impressive win in the opening Grade 1 Tote Jackpot Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown today.

Carrying the Moyglare Stud Farm colours, the daughter of Danehill Dancer moved through to lead on the run to the final flight, eventually stretching clear on the run-in for a comfortable win over Sailors Warn

Afterwards Weld stated “Unaccompanied will go straight for the Triumph Hurdle after that. She knows her job, loves jumping and there were lots of horses with plenty of form in today’s race.”

He added “it was probably a weak maiden hurdle she won the last day and if she didn’t win today she we would have gone back on the Flat. I said to Paul (Townend) to let her stride on early to see if she would stay. She is adaptable ground wise – she won on good to firm at Galway and handles soft ground very well.”

Unaccompanied was cut to 8/1, from 12/1, with Boylesports for the Triumph Hurdle.

Thomas Weekes