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Mount Ida looks to have plenty of scope over hurdles

Mount Ida pops the last in front of Kalanisi OgMount Ida pops the last in front of Kalanisi Og
© Photo Healy Racing

Gordon Elliott's Mount Ida (6/4jf) made virtually all in the hands of Davy Russell to take the Front Door Mares Maiden Hurdle in Galway.

She was challenged at the penultimate flight by market rival Kalanisi Og (6/4jf) but jumped it much the better.

Kalanisi Og was soon scrubbed along by Paul Townend in their pursuit of the leader who was still full of running.

Another swift jump at the last aided Mount Ida's cause as she strode away on the run-in to increase the margin to four lengths at the line. Fag An Bealach brought up an each-way dividend for her backers at 4/1 from bigger in the morning. She was beaten 13 and a half lengths by the winner.

Davy Russell said: "She was very professional and obviously she had the run (over hurdles) and had run in a point-to-point, so it made my task an awful lot easier.

"She could go up in trip as well and I like her. We liked her at home and while it is hard to know with the fillies, there is a campaign there for her and it makes them very important in the yard and for owners. It gives those fillies more value."

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes

About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.