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No problems for Don't Hesitate on Irish debut

Don't Hesitate and Paul Townend pictured on their way to victoryDon't Hesitate and Paul Townend pictured on their way to victory
© Photo Healy Racing

The Willie Mullins trained Don't Hesitate got off the mark on her debut over flights, as she easily defeated her eight rivals in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle.

Previously trained in France by Francois Doumen, and successful in two AQPS races, the bay five-year-old was expected to score this afternoon, and went off the 2/11 favourite under Paul Townend.

Sent straight to the front, she was joined by Follow The Storm after the third, but was left in a clear lead again when that one crashed out at the next.

Despite some sketchy jumps, the Sullivan Bloodstock Limited owned victor never came off the bridle, and stretched clear from the last, going on to score by ten lengths.

Second favourite Light Of My Life (4/1) finished in the runner-up spot under Mark Walsh for Edward O'Grady, while Lucky Phil (9/1) was another nine lengths back in third.

"She was green in front - it was hard for her with no company. Whatever about being in front but being in front on her own. When the horse joined her she took on that hurdle very well for me," said Townend.

"Unfortunately that one fell then, and it was hard for her first day at school to go out on her own like that, but we learned very little about her today.

"I imagine she'll keep going for the winter."

Additional reporting by Eamonn Murphy

About Donal Murphy
Donal graduated from Maynooth University in 2010 with a BBS in Equine Business and since attained a diploma in Sports Journalism from Dublin Business School. He holds a variety of roles in the horse racing industry, reporting for the Press Association and p2p.ie, while also working for SIS and the Tote. From Wexford, he is a keen runner and has completed over 100 parkruns at various locations around the country.