Spindleberry makes it four from four over fences

Spindleberry maintained her flawless record over fences with victory in the T.A. Morris Memorial Irish EBF Mares Chase at Clonmel.

The Willie Mullins-trained seven-year-old was a Grade One runner-up over hurdles and then made a seamless switch to larger obstacles, winning all three starts with ease last season.

She signed off last term with victory in the Grade One WillowWarm Gold Cup, and started the new campaign at Listed level as the 2-5 favourite at Clonmel.

Paul Townend was in the saddle for the two-mile-five-furlong event, with Spindleberry’s two-length success the result of a fast-paced finish after a steadily-run affair.

“We went slow, she was idle in front and we dashed for three furlongs, but she is very straightforward,” said the winning rider.

“It was a brilliant starting point on ground which wasn’t bottomless and while she was ready to run, she will improve from it.

“She is just a very good racehorse, but you wouldn’t come back in trip with her. She is an easy ride which would also give her a chance at staying further distances.

“Her hurdle form was good but she had to drop back to two miles a few times and she’s taken to fences really well and has matured.”

Gordon Elliott had a smart winner of the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden Hurdle as Kovanis prevailed by thee lengths at 9-2, after which Henry de Bromhead’s Scope To Improve won the Connolly’s RED MILLS Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle by a margin of five lengths on his debut over obstacles.

“He is a bit keen and is mad to get on with things and in fairness to Darragh (O’Keeffe) he did a great job in settling him in behind the leader,” the winning trainer said of the 2-7 favourite.

“He jumped well, he seemed to pick up nicely and Darragh was happy with him.

“It was a slow-run race and he picked up well so we’ll keep feeling our way with him, it is about keeping the lid on him. He was fresh today but hopefully will calm down with more racing.

“I’m delighted for brothers Paddy and Paul Hale (owners) and he is a horse we like at home, so we were hoping he’d do that.”