Mullins & Townend gain compensation with Bohemian Birch

Willie Mullins and Paul Townend were out of luck when Cavallino made a bad mistake at the last in the opener at Tramore but fortune was on their side this time at the final flight as Bohemian Birch landed the spoils in the Doneraile Walk Mares Maiden Hurdle.

There was drama at the second last where Bohemian Birch jumped right and gave Humble Glory a sizeable bump leaving Erins Benefit who was upsides at the time, to lead approaching the last.

However, John Kiely’s charge met the final flight all wrong and unseated Denis O’Regan.

Bohemian Birch was left in front and, with Humble Glory hampered by the riderless Erins Benefit, came home two and a quarter lengths clear to justify evens favouritism. Wild Caprice was a further eight and a half lengths back in third.

Townend said, “It was in the balance at the last and it was hard luck to Denis and her connections. I thought my one did well to stay going as well as she did. She pulled quite hard.

“It’s hard work on that ground and she had to dig really deep to stay going. She got away with it.

“Nigel (King, owner/breeder) does well with his fillies and he seems to have another nice one now."

(AM & DM)