Joe lunges late from off the pace to get his Turn Phillip Enright produced Joe's Turn with a perfectly timed run from off the pace to narrowly land the Mullingar Handicap Hurdle at Kilbeggan. A handicap chase winner over a similar trip at this track last August, the Mark McNiff trained gelding showed his liking for the County Westmeath venue by adding what was only his second success under rules. Victorious in both point-to-point starts, the nine-year-old has failed to live up those heights under rules but showed plenty of determination to score here. Towards rear for the first two circuits, Enright moved closer on the final lap, going sixth after jumping two out. Travelling easily to go second in pursuit of Kyle Valley approaching the final flight, he looked to have work to do as that one kicked again from the front. Closing all the way to the line, it looked on first viewing as those Kyle Valley had held on but the subsequent photo shows that Joe's Turn had got up for a head win. Winning jockey Phillip Enright said: “In fairness to him he was game from the back of the last and put his head down — thankfully it was down in the right spot! “He won over fences here last year, so he obviously likes the track. “Mark McNiff does a magnificent job with these horses. He trains up on the beach, probably doesn’t get the credit he deserves and I’m just lucky that he likes using me. “He’s very easy to ride for, gives no instructions and it’s ride the race as you find it. Win, lose or draw there are no angry words.” Additional reporting by Alan Magee.
