Karafon in charge over the last© Photo Healy Racing
The market favoured Karamoja over Karafon of the Willie Mullins pair in Division 2 of the ClonmelRaces.ie (QR) Maiden Hurdle, but the latter was the one to take the honours.
Karamoja led over this extended two-mile-three- furlong trip, but was stalked throughout by Karafon who travelled better to pick it up before the penultimate flight. Uhavemeinstitches went after the front pair racing to the last, but Karafon landed on a decent stride and went for home on the short run. Karamoja (5/6f) had no more to give and was passed for second in the closing stages by Uhavemeinstiches (66/1) who stayed on nicely, but was two and a-quarter lengths in arrears of Karafon (7/4) at the line.
This brought up a double for Willie and Patrick Mullins together with owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede as they all teamed up with C'est Ta Chance in division one of this race.
Jockey Mullins said: "He jumped brilliant, settled great and his form entitled him to do it like that.
"I couldn't ride Karamoja for weight reasons and at home she would work as well as the winner, but Karafon has an extra season's training with us under his belt. That is often worth a lot and Karamoja ran keen and will probably improve more from it.
"We think a lot of both horses and Karafon can step up in grade now."
Additional reporting by Tom Weekes
