Cheltenham Festival favourite Maughreen puts in 'huge performance' to win on hurdling debut

The long-awaited reappearance of Maughreen proved to be well worth it as the daughter of Walk In The Park made a winning debut over hurdles in the 2m3½f mares' maiden under Paul Townend. 

Last seen when an impressive debutante in a bumper at this venue more than a year ago, she set out in front here in company with prolific bumper winner and main market rival Familiar Dreams, and she consistently outjumped that rival in building up an advantage coming to the last. 

A few hearts were briefly in mouths as the eventual runner-up Dee's Lady closed to within a couple of lengths and appeared to have plenty of momentum, but the winner picked up again on the run to the line to score by five lengths.

Winning trainer Willie Mullins said: "I thought it was a huge performance for a mare having just her second run. She went out and made her own running, jumped from hurdle to hurdle and made a couple of little mistakes including at the last when Paul was happy to let her fiddle it."

Paddy Power cut Maughreen to 100-30 favourite (from 4) for the Mares' Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham.

"I don't think there will be another chance to run her between now and Cheltenham, but looking at that I don't think she will need one," said Mullins. "Hopefully she'll improve from that. I did get a bit worried after the last, but Paul said as soon as she heard the other mare she just took off again. 

"I think she will easily drop back in trip, her jumping will be a big help in doing that."

Maughreen was part of a second successive treble for Mullins, following Naas on Sunday. Another potential Cheltenham prospect was unearthed in Karbau, who landed the opening 2m maiden hurdle after making all in impressive fashion under Townend. 

The French import put in an impeccable round of jumping when scoring by 16 lengths, leaving the champion trainer impressed. "That was a nice performance," said Mullins. "He learned a lot from the first day and put it to good use."

Paul Townend and Willie Mullins after Karbau's winCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

The winner was cut to 20-1 (from 50) by Paddy Power for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle and to 20-1 (from 33) for the Turners Novices' Hurdle.

Mullins said: "He’s in the Supreme and Turners. If he finds a bit of improvement, he’s right up there. I’d be happy enough that he’s a good calibre horse."

The Townend-ridden Port Joulain completed a good day for Closutton when getting off the mark at the third attempt over hurdles in the 2m3½f maiden.

Kelly strikes again

Draperstown trainer Noel Kelly had his second winner in County Kildare in two days when That's Me Finished came from an unlikely position to land the concluding 2m7f handicap hurdle. 

However, winning rider Jody McGarvey was issued with a five-day ban for using his whip with excessive frequency.

Mares' Novices' Hurdle (Cheltenham, March 13)
Paddy Power: 100-30 Maughreen, 4-1 Sixandahalf, 10 Jubilee Alpha, 10 Kientzheim, 12 Khrisma, 14 Aurora Vega, Anno Power, 16 bar.

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