Alan Magee
Bridge makes successful switch to hurdles
Bridge Native leads Athloman Cottage over the last
© Photo Healy Racing
Bridge Native has proved a frustrating sort to follow in bumpers but the switch to hurdles proved just the ticket in the Templemore Mares Maiden Hurdle at Thurles.
The Dot Love-trained five-year-old had filled the runner-up spot four times in bumpers this year, and was third at Wexford last Sunday.
However the decision to make a quick reappearance and tackle hurdles for the first time was rewarded at odds of 7/2.
Mark Walsh 's mount struck the front at the penultimate flight and kept on well on the run-in to score by two and three quarter lengths.
The well-backed 13/8 favourite Moonlit Theatre got going too late when staying on well to take second, with Athloman Cottage a half-length further back in third.