Sharkeyboy gets off the mark over hurdles The Willie Mullins-trained Sharkeyboy (8/13) was an impressive winner of Galway's QuinnBet 3yo Maiden Hurdle for rider Paul Townend, on what was his only ride of the day. The son of Zarak, owned by the Creighton family, is an 86-rated maiden on the Flat and a switch to hurdling saw a definite improvement as he warmed to the task after an opening-flight error to win convincingly by nine lengths from Fits Perfect. Borora Aura made good use of herself out in front throughout the contest, but between the final two flights, Townend sent his horse forward as he jumped both final flights well and eased to success. Townend reflected: "It is 18 years since I first rode in these colours, winning on my first ride in a Grade 1 on Hurricane Fly (recently deceased), who did an awful lot for me and my career. "This horse probably won't get to Hurricane Fly's levels, but he had run well on the Flat here at the summer festival, and I think jumping will improve him. "He had schooled brilliantly at home, but it was a messy race, and he had a look at the first hurdle. Once I got a lead, he jumped away well, and I was then able to go where I wanted." (Quotes from Tom Weekes)
