Majolique wins on Irish debut for Mullins A winner of her sole start on the Flat in France, Majolique made a successful transition to jumping when scoring on her debut for Willie Mullins in the Listed Download The William Hill App Juvenile Hurdle at Naas. Carrying the familiar colours of Kenny Alexander, the 15/8f led over the first flight, before settling second as Immediate Effect took over under Jack Kennedy. Dropping back to third before halfway, jockey Paul Townend was content to ride a waiting race on Majolique until the race started to develop early in the straight. A mistake two out briefly put the Mullins filly on the back foot, as Michonne took over at the head of affairs. However, having quickened smartly on the run to the last, Majolique came through to lead over 100 yards out, before going right away to score by four-lengths. “I wasn’t expecting that, I didn’t think she was ready enough and that she’d need the run,” said assistant David Casey. “She’s a filly that came at the start of the season, that we liked, but she got injured and came back late. “If she had finished in the first three today I would have been delighted, I didn’t think she’d be ready enough to win. “She put up a good performance, the fact that they went so slow probably helped her. It turned a mile-and-a-seven race into a mile-and-five race. “It’s great to win and she obviously has ability. I think she’ll improve hugely for it. “She’s in the Triumph but Cheltenham might come a bit quick. “The owners won the Grade 1 in Aintree last year with Murcia and maybe she might be one for that. Willie will make a plan for her and we’ll see what she’s like. “She hasn’t done a whole pile of work since she came back and was only ready to run.” When asked if she could go back on the Flat he added:- “Maybe. She wouldn’t have been showing a whole pile of pace at home but Paul said she rode with a way more pace there.” Paddy Power went 20/1 (from 33/1) Majolique for Triumph Hurdle. Additional reporting by Gary Carson.
