Mullins & Townend land Kilbeggan opener Trained by Willie Mullins for Luke McMahon, Luciole Des Bordes justified 6/5 favouritism when making all in Kilbeggan's opener, the BETXS Mares Maiden Hurdle over two miles. Runner-up in two bumpers and fifth over a longer trip on hurdling debut at Tramore, Paul Townend's mount was pursued form the second-last by Brave Lady and saw off that one's challenge by a length and a-half. "I was shocked at the first couple of hurdles today, but I couldn’t ride her at them or I would have ended up inside in town! I just had to let her do that,” said Townend. “I think she is learning on the job and she seems very tough. For a mare that is so hard on herself, she finds plenty. “I wasn’t in that much control. Every time I tried to control her I just had to let her do what she was doing. When she wanted a breather, she took them. She was a controlled free one!” When it was put to him that two miles was her trip, he added:- “Until she learns to settle properly, it probably is. “I don’t know where they’ll go after here, or how deep the race was, but she’s a winner now so we’re all happy today.”   Additional reporting by Gary Carson
