Townend shines on Ballycashin

Jody Townend's decision to stay down the inner reaped rewards as Ballycashin landed the concluding mares bumper at Wexford this afternoon.

With her rivals coming wide Townend stuck to the rail and had the advantage turning for home in the two-miler.

The Tony Mullins-trained daughter of Flemensfirth galloped on strongly in the closing stages as New York Style stayed on to chase her home, getting within a length-and-a-half of the 11/4 favourite.

Ballycashin had been third on her debut at the track in May and was fifth on her return to action at Punchestown 19 days ago.

Mullins said:- "Jody walked the track and said that she could feel some good ground on the inside. I told her if she wanted to do it, she could do it her way. She did and did it well.

"I think she is a mare with a future. She is a full-sister to Minella Drama who is a good horse in England. She is not a big mare but is tough.

“I'd say she will go jumping now. I will have another word with Jody but I don't want to be hard on her. I'd like to let her off in a maiden hurdle and she jumps well.

"She is owned by the daughters of Bobby McCarthy of Beeches Stud, where Flemensfirth stood, so it's a homebred horse."

(Quotes by Donal Murphy)