Easy Times for Russell on Tavern

Tavern Times destroyed his rivals to run out an easy winner of the Dolores Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle at Tipperary.

The tightly packed field in the Grade 3 contest were all in a line at the fourth last but Davy Russell sent his mount on at the next.

Tom Mullins' charge had his rivals in trouble turning for home and the 4/5 favourite soon powered clear.

Russell kept his mount up to his work running to the last but he could afford to ease down on the run-in, virtually pulling up crossing the line to record a 17-length victory. Bleakfield Lady who had led early, stayed on again past beaten horses to secure the runner-up spot.

"I feel he's been getting better all the time. He's been showing more speed at home so I let him take his chance over two miles today," said Mullins.

"I wanted to see if he was good enough to go for the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse. I also had Cheltenham in November in mind for him but I'd say the Royal Bond is his main target now.

"Even though he's won by 17-lengths he had a hard enough race there."

Gary Carson