Success for Jody Townend on Cork-owned Soir De Garde

Lisgoold jockey Jody Townend, who landed the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival last month, was back in the winners' enclosure at Tramore. 

She combined with the all-conquering Willie Mullins aboard the well-supported odds-on favourite Soir De Garde. They landed the QuinnBet Maiden Hurdle with the hurdling debutant.

The winner is owned by popular Cork owners Joe and Marie Donnelly. The winner is a half-brother to their multiple Grade One winner State Man and also to Royal Bond winner Statuaire. He'd boasted a fair reputation before he'd ever run but had been slightly disappointed in his two outings in bumpers. 

However, today's maiden hurdle represented a major drop in class for the seven-year-old. He'd drifted in the offices in the morning to 4-5 but was supported on-course from 8/13 into 2/5.

She sat second early doors, behind the suspect stayer San Aer. Townend made her move approaching the third last and that proved to be decisive. 

She kicked for touch between the last two and had ten lengths in hand at the line. The winner wasn't foot-perfect early on but gradually warmed to his task.

This victory saw Townend edge one clear in the race for the women's amateur riders title.

The talented rider from Lisgoold was the recipient of an Echo Women in Sport award last year. She landed the Grade One Weatherbys Champion Bumper on Bambino Fever at Cheltenham last month.

Redemption Day gave Jody Townend her first Grade One victory last April in Punchestown’s Champion Bumper.

Glanworth jockey John Shinnick was also among the winners. 

He partnered Fairyland Opera to a facile victory in the Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle. The Lorna Fowler-trained six-year-old was relatively easy to back with lots of Evens available in the ring.

She was always travelling easily behind the leaders under John Shinnick. She assumed control before the second last and quickly asserted her superiority. She eventually came home 12 lengths clear.