Love Me Tender transitions to hurdling in good style Love Me Tender proved different class to the opposition in the Tote Maiden that got Kilbeggan's card under way. He went off 30/100 favourite on hurdling debut for Willie Mullins having hacked up by eight lengths in a Tramore bumper at the end of May. Paul Townend kept it simple aboard him as the pair made every yard. He wasn't foot perfect over four out, but still held a handy three-length lead. Power Of Words (7/2) briefly looked a danger two out, however, the leader soon readily asserted and was clear well before the last. That was safely negotiated and he eased home by 18 lengths from Power Of Words. There was another 10-length gap back to third-placed Black Gem (50/1). Townend said: “He won well. The price said he should, but it doesn’t always work out - I’ve got beaten on a lot of shorter ones than him! “He loves jumping - he over-jumped one down the back, but he was looking for the next hurdle. It was a nice performance. He’s looking for the next one, which is a good sign, and he wants to go forward. “He was impressive in his bumper and the second has come out and won since and franked the form a few times. It’s nice to get a win next to his name again.” Additional reporting by Gary Carson
