Sheahan recalled with fondness as Townend wins on Saylavee

Paul Townend got of the mark for the new season in the Donie Sheahan Memorial Irish EBF Mares Beginners Chase at Killarney on Willie Mullins' 2/7 chase debutant Saylavee

Bouncing back after the unlucky mistake and unseat for the trainer and jockey's Icare Desbois earlier, it was all pretty smooth for Saylavee as her odds would imply.

She hit the front three out and asserted from between the last two on the way to a seven length success over Henning

"She was entitled to win it once she took to chasing and had schooled well at home. It was a nice find and credit to the racecourse who produced nice ground," said Townend.

"She ran to a good enough level over hurdles and hopefully a fence will even improve her a bit. She was a little big over the first couple of fences but warmed into it and as she got more competitive, she got better. She'll have a future over fences."

The race is named in memory of late local owner Donie Sheahan and he added: "I rode for Donie on For Bill a long time ago and he was a real character. He would often wait at the gate for us but in the end, he gave up asking me for tips!"

Regarding his earlier unfortunate fall from Icare Desbois, Townend reflected: "He was showing a bit more and I'd say the better ground was a big help to him - but I still fell off him."

B. Hayes, rider of Costanuci trained by John Queally, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount mad a bad mistake at the fifth last fence.

P.T. Enright, rider of Pebble Bleu trained by Colin Motherway, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount made a bad mistake at the second last fence on the middle circuit.

(TW & EM)