Hook Up to the Mullins/Townend bandwagon for a stream of Fairyhouse winners Division one of the Kettles Country House Supporting Fingal Ravens GAA Maiden Hurdle at Fairyhouse saw the Willie Mullins and Paul Townend domination continue as Triumph Hurdle ‘also ran’ Hook Up won at her ease. The day started on the right note for owners Susannah and Rich Ricci with Monkfish, and they also have Hook Up at Closutton. She’s by No Risk At All (the sire of Epatante), a half-brother to Nickname. A strongly-backed 10/11 market-leader (from 6/4) Hook Up further built on the Mullins/Townend gains from the previous race with Concertista, by making all. She was still travelling well two out, and went clear from before the last. Staying on strongly on the run-in, the successful four-year-old was not extended to easily account for Gars De Sceaux by twelve lengths. “She’s not the biggest mare in the world but she seems to have a nice engine,” said Mullins. “I was keen that Paul should let her go about her business early and I think the mare had the same idea. She wanted to get on with the job and it seems to suit her better than trying to hold her up which we did before. “We’ll head towards Christmas with her as well.” For the Mares’ Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham Paddy Power go 10/1 (from 16/1) about Hook Up. The Stewards informed S.R.B. Crawford, trainer of Legacy Thor, that a repeat performance in the behaviour of his charge who refused to jump off when under starters orders, may render the animal liable to future suspension. (AM & EM)
