Mount Sinai shows plenty of ability on hurdling debut A lovely jump by Mount Sinai at the penultimate flight was the winning of the mares' maiden hurdle in Clonmel. Patrick Mullins was in the plate for his father Willie and he held a narrow lead on the Mount Nelson mare on the approach to the second-last flight. Strong-travelling Mount Sinai was good and swift over it and her two closest pursuers - Roccos Inspiration and Lucky Viv - soon came off the bridle as she increased her lead on the run to the last. Another quality leap saw her coast home on the bridle to win by four and a-quarter lengths at 3/1. Roccos Inspiration, 13/8 favourite, shaded the verdict for second by a short head from Lucky Viv (10/3). This was Mount Sinai's hurdling bow after a pair of placed efforts in bumpers. Jockey Mullins said: "She was running keen in her bumpers and jumped very well today which improved her and also it helped her to relax. I actually didn't think she'd handle this ground but she loved it. Her brother likes that ground as well but she is very different and is smaller and slighter. "The ground is so wet, it is loose though and it is different that dry-heavy - if that makes sense. "It was a nice surprise and we won't have any fancy targets, but we'll try to pick up some blacktype somewhere and she has the scope to jump fences as well." Regarding the Willie Mullins-bred winner, he added "Jackie usually is registered the breeder of these horses but when Willie came home with the mare (Sigh Of Relief), there was a family dispute with myself and Jackie (Mullins) on one side. "I think he has been proven right but Jackie can take the credit since the mare was bought!" Additional reporting by Tom Weekes
