Malina makes her mark for Murphy Mystic Malina galloped on strongly from the last to run out a convincing winner of the opening Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle at Clonmel. The Donie Murphy-trained mare had won a point-to-point last March but had been tailed off on her return to action, on her hurdling debut at Cork last month. She went to post a 7/2 shot in today’s unplaced event and travelled well to hit the front going to the second-last under Harry Sexton. The daughter of Malinas was chased down to the last by Loyal Praetorian and a fine jump there propelled her clear as she went on to record a comprehensive six-and-a-half length success. "She is a grand mare and hopefully can go forward from that. She had won a point-to-point and had run well in a bumper and won easily enough today,” said Murphy. "Someone was sure (she'd win) but it wasn't me who backed her. I told Harry to tip away and to keep an eye on the favourite (Justatan) as I thought he was the one to beat. It worked out well. "My brother Matt bred her and she is owned by a local publican Anthony Smart from Ballincurrig. The family goes back years for us, as long as I can remember and back to the 1970s. “My father and John Magnier had the base mare Even More between them. I don't know how many steps she goes back but it is a long time ago." (Quotes by Tom Weekes)
