Top Othe Ra gets off the mark over flights

After making his debut over flights in December 2012, Top Othe Ra finally made shed his maiden tag, as he took the Mayo News Maiden Hurdle for Tom and Helen Mullins, with their son David aboard.

Successful in a bumper at Galway in 2013, the son of Whitmore's Conn was then off the track for over three years, returning to action at Punchestown last October.

A good second to Galway Hurdle hope Timiyan on his last start at Bellewstown, the chestnut gelding was expected to go one place better today as he went off the 6/4 favourite.

Settled in second, he improved to lead before three out. He was ridden inside the final furlong and was all out to hold off the challenge of Licklighter by a head.

The runner-up was returned at 2/1 under Davy Russell for Pat Kelly, while Well Joey (20s to 14s on-course) was another length away in third for Adam Short and Prunella Dobbs.

"I didn't think he'd have to come off the bridle in a race like that," said David Mullins.

"He's a good little horse and he pricked an ear coming up the straight.

"Hopefully there's more left in the tank."

Additional reporting by Eamonn Murphy