Townend extends lead on Blackmore after Eight And Bob win

The two best backed horses in the Tommy Carberry Handicap Hurdle dominated the finish with Eight And Bob stylishly following up on his course success from last month at Fairyhouse.

Back four furlongs on this occasion to two and a half miles, Eight And Bob came in for plenty of support on track, ending up the 11/4 favourite from 4/1. Halsafari (8s into 11/2), a track and trip victor on the same care as Eight And Bob four weeks ago, ran well on his handicap debut.

However the Act D Wagg Syndicate-owned and Willie Mullins-trained winner has plenty of experience at this stage, getting the job done very professionally by seven lengths.

Paul Townend, successful rider, now leads the jockey of Halsafari, Rachael Blackmore, by 5 (86 plays 81) in the race to be champion jockey.

It was compensation for Townend after coming up a head short on Tens Or Better in the opener on this card.

“He’s starting to get the hang of things and I’m very pleased with him. He’s improving," said Mullins.

“We were campaigning him over two miles and any bit of an extended trip is fine for him. He seems to be getting fonder of the game because it wasn’t his first love when he started off.”

D.J. Mullins, rider of Awayinthewest trained by P.A.Fahy, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount ran short of room on the last bend.

(AM & EM)