Mig Des Taillons makes a successful raid at Musselburgh Mig Des Taillons made the trip over to Musselburgh worthwhile when justifying favouritism in the William Hill Betting TV EBF ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle. The Montmartre gelding provided trainer Paddy Turley with his first winner under rules at Down Royal in August and added to his tally at Fairyhouse in October. The 5/6 favourite tracked chief market rival Prince Escalus throughout before Danny McMenamin sent him on after two out. Spark Of Madness looked a threat when mounting a challenge at the final flight but Mig Des Taillons kept on well under pressure on the run-in to score by a length and a quarter. Prince Escalus rallied to take the runner-up spot, with Spark Of Madness finding no extra in the closing stages a further three quarters of a length back in third. This was a first runner outside of Ireland for Turley, whose family have a farm in the middle of the racecourse at Downpatrick. McMenamin said on Racing TV, “We went a nice even gallop and he settled lovely. He’s been running well in Ireland and he’s backed it up well today. “The biggest thing is getting him switched off early doors and he did that today. “The leader steadied it up turning in and it turned into a bit of a sprint but it suited me down to the ground. My lad has got plenty of speed so it helped me in the end. “Paddy gave me plenty of help when I was growing up, and Declan Lavery who works for him and also Sean Dobbin who led him up have all been a great help to me. It’s nice to repay them.”
