Taipan gets it right this time around

Made in Taipan (7/1) put yesterday's disappointing effort (finished last of the five finishers behind Psycho here) well behind him, as he just got the better of Head of the Posse by half a length to take the M.D.O’Shea & Sons Hurdle for his trainer Tom Mullins.

The six time winner before today, had plenty to do approaching the straight sitting in behind the leaders and it wasn’t until after the last flight which he jumped awkwardly, his jockey Davy Russell got a response from him, surging late to catch the well supported 5/4fav Head of the Posse.

Approximately four lengths separated the first seven home at the finish with the outsider of the field Clooney Eile a distance back in last place.

Winning trainer Tom Mullins said afterwards: "There aren’t too many opportunities out there for a horse like him. He seemed fit and well this morning, so we took our chance. Davy (Russell) said he ran too fresh yesterday and he had nothing left at the finish.

"He will go to the sales now in Doncaster on May 24th."

Donal Murphy