Emily Blazes a trail in opener Blazing Emily proved too hot to handle for her rivals as she made all to land the opening Jet O'Carroll Memorial EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle at Listowel this afternoon. The Willie Mullins-trained filly was a well backed 4/5 favourite in the two-and-a-half mile contest, having been 5/2 in the morning, and Paul Townend kept things simple on the hotpot. She was asked for an effort going to the second last and despite pecking at the back of the flight she soon asserted. The daughter of Presenting kept on strongly over the last to record a four-and-a-quarter length victory over 25/1 shot Sand Fly. Blazing Emily won a bumper at Ballinrobe back in May and was most recently seen chasing home the smart Rocket Lad at Galway. Townend said:- “Every time something came to her it helped. The only fright was at the second last but she went and jumped the last well. She gallops and she jumps. “I blame myself at the second last for not keeping the revs up on her. I think she’ll improve and stay further. “If I had a bit more company it would have made her run a bit sweeter. She was taking in everything in front.” (Quotes by Alan Magee)
