Cheltenham Bumper-fifth wins over hurdles

Champion trainer Willie Mullins and stable jockey Paul Townend combined for Fairyhouse-maiden hurdles doubles today, as Fishery Lane (10/11f) completed the feat in the Jump Into January-titled 2m4f edition.

The pair had earlier won with French import Kiss Will and while Cheltenham Bumper-fifth Fishery Lane today made hard work of shaking off his principal rivals, did quicken clear on the run-in to beat Grimaud by 4.5 lengths.

Townend said “when he ran the last day, I wasn’t very good on him and our horses that were running at that time all came forward.

“He’s a strong stayer, that would be my opinion of him. He got experience jumping and he probably wants it. He’ll be improving on the job and I’d be going up in distance rather than back, but he can mix it in around there.”

Fishery Lane, who carries the colours of Bryan Drew’s King George VI Chase winner Bravemansgame, is named after a roadway adjoining Naas racecourse which also lends its name to a Grade 3 hurdle run at the track every November.

Quotes from Gary Carson