Mullins’ Mahler Mare Impresses On Hurdle Bow

Friends (5m Mahler - Rachel’s Star, by Presenting) drew clear on hurdle debut to make it two from two for Willie Mullins at Tramore on Sunday.

The daughter of Mahler made a perfect start for connections in a mares’ bumper last month and dropped down to two miles in Sunday’s maiden hurdle. Sent off favourite under Paul Townend, she raced in second for much of the way and was travelling strongly when asserting before the second last. Ridden clear approaching the final flight, she kept on well to win by 15 lengths from a strung-out field.

“I was very happy with her in the end,” the winning trainer later commented. “The second horse has a good pedigree by Great Pretender and had nice form in France. You wouldn't expect a maiden hurdle at Tramore to be that hot.” On future plans, Mullins added, “She will go novice hurdling and hopefully she will improve as the autumn comes in.”

Friends was bred by the Beeches Stud and carries the colours of the Lions Mouth Racing Club.