Clarach (centre) travels nicely under Danny Mullins on the run to the last© Photo Healy Racing
Clarach made it three wins on the bounce as she took the Adare Festival Weekend Rated Hurdle in good style for the Mullins father and son team of trainer Tony and rider Danny.
The 7yo daughter of Beneficial won a handicap hurdle at Sligo in May and then followed up by easily winning a handicap on the level at Tramore last month.
Sent off the 9/4 favourite to complete her hat-trick this afternoon she didn’t disappoint and given a confident ride by Danny Mullins she was well of the pace early on before moving into a closer fifth approaching the straight.
She led and travelled strongly after the second last and she was eased on the run-in to score in comfortable fashion. Pires had to settle for second under Ruby Walsh for Tony Martin at 8/1 while Satu was a further two and three parts of a length back in third under Davy Russell for Eoin Doyle at 4/1.
Winning trainer Tony Mullins said afterwards: "Since she won the Mares Hurdle at Galway last year we've had nothing else on our mind other that going back there for the Galway Hurdle this year.
"I hope the handicapper wont be too hard on her for that. She is a very honest mare who finds plenty without being asked too much.
"I’m really looking forward to Galway and she loves fast ground. All my life I have been waiting to train one for the Galway Hurdle and we are all set now.
"With her handicap mark and the experience she has I think she must have a great chance. I may also run her in the amateur race on the Monday there but we will see about that."
(On-course reporting by Alan Magee)
