Malina Girl and Darragh O'Keeffe © Photo Healy Racing
The 8/15 favourite Malina Girl ran out a very easy winner of the Connolly's RED MILLS Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle.
A bumper winner at Wexford earlier this month, the 4-year-old raced a bit keenly tracking the leaders before coming through to lead four out.
She was clear when she gave Darragh O’Keeffe a fright going to the second-last where she jinked and thought about running out, but all was well and she coasted home 14 lengths ahead of Here To Stay
After Coulonces in the opener, it was a quick double for winning trainer Gavin Cromwell who said: “She gave us a little bit of a scare. She just got a little bit lit up in the race.
“We put cheekpieces on her because she didn't travel that well in her bumpers but she got bumped around on one of the bends and it got her a bit lit up.
“She jumped well and will learn plenty from today. It wasn't a bad performance, it wasn't a super race but it's nice to win it all the same.
“We'll have a look at the calendar now and see what there is for her.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
