Familiar makes winning start for Mullins Witches Familiar ran out an impressive winner on her Irish debut for Willie Mullins in a dramatic opener at Ballinrobe today. Al What unshipped Donagh Meyler at the first flight in the two-miler, leaving Cinating in front. That filly crashed out two from home, however, with Witches Familiar inheriting the lead. Paul Townend gave the 13/8 shot a squeeze turning for home, in the fillies maiden hurdle, and she was always in control late on, recording a comprehensive 12-length success over Ismahane. The Rich Ricci-owned winner, a daughter of Zarak out of a half-sister to Buck’s Boum, had run twice on the Flat in her native France. Townend said afterwards:- "It was an eventful race but she did things nicely and she was honest at the first, given what happened to Donagh's horse. "She's learning on the job, but she enjoyed her jumping and was looking for the next hurdle. “When I gave her a squeeze to see what was there, she galloped out well to the line. She looks fairly smart." Donagh Meyler was taken to hospital for x-rays on a suspected leg fracture after his mount Al What attemped to refuse at the first and gave him a nasty fall. (Quotes by Mark Nunan)
