Hill lunges late to land Thurles opener Hillberry Hill stayed on best to trump the top two in the market in the opening Connolly’s Red Mills Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle at Thurles. The 4/9 favourite Forty Coats made the running in the two-and-a-half mile contest but was headed over the second-last by 7/2 second choice Ifallgoeswell. The grey was pressed again over the last by Forty Coats with the Mags Mullins-trained Hillberry Hill also staying on into contention. It was the Kingston Hill gelding who got on top in the closing stages, for Danny Mullins, to record a length-and-a-half win over Ifallgoeswell. The 10/1 winner had been 16/1 in the morning. The five-year-old had been sixth behind Scope To Improve on his debut run at Clonmel in November. "He had a lovely run in Clonmel the first day and is an improving horse, although is still a baby,” said the winning trainer. “I thought he had improved and I wasn't surprised he won. He is a chaser in the making and I'm charmed with him. "They think an awful lot of Henry's horse (third-placed Forty Coats), so you'd only have to be delighted and it is great for Brian and Tom (Groarke, owners) and everyone at home.  "We'll see how he comes out of this and make a plan then." (Quotes by Tom Weekes)
