Free Thought battles to victory for Danny Mullins

The 10/3 favourite Free Thought ground out victory in the Support Local This Christmas Maiden Hurdle.

Always handy, the Mountain High mare led turning for home but was strongly pressed by a couple of rivals after the last.

Looking vulnerable at that stage, she found a bit more to see off Pictures Of Home (9s into 5/1) and Ensel Du Perche (11/2) by half a length and a short head.

Trained by Mags Mullins, the winner had run a pleasing race in much better company behind Gabynako at this course on her hurdling debut and took advantage of this drop in class to an ‘unplaced maiden’.

Danny Mullins partnered the winner for his mother and said: "It was a good performance and I suppose her run the last day entitled her to do that. She’s improving all the time and showed good battling qualities there.

“In fairness to her she kept galloping strong. She’s from a decent family (half-sister to three winners including former stablemate Last Encounter) and it’s nice to get a win for her.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee