Design off the mark with fine front-running performance

My Design proved tough in front to open her account in the mares maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse today.

The Shane O'Brien-trained filly made every yard in the two-and-a-half mile contest and found plenty for Ian Power in the closing stages.

She was asked for an effort turning for home and held her rivals at bay, repelling the late challenge of Hauturiere by three-parts-of-a-length.

The 7/2 winner had been placed on her previous two outings and was supplementing a point-to-point win in November 2020.

Power said afterwards:- “She got very excited in behind two runs back at Thurles and didn’t jump a hurdle so the last day we let her roll along at Navan and she relaxed.

“I knew today she would stay well so we used that. She banked the second last but otherwise she jumped good.

“We were a bit worried about the ground but she gave me a good feel going down to the start.

“Normally she would hang left near the end of a race but she didn’t do that today.

“She’s a decent enough type of mare and happier being out in front.”

(Quotes by Alan Magee)