Maughreen comes home in splendid isolation© Photo Healy Racing
Maughreen put herself forward for the big festivals with a very taking display on debut at Punchestown.
The five-year-old Walk In The Park mare who is out of an unraced half-sister to the mighty Faugheen was expected to deliver as she went off 1/2 favourite and her backers didn't really have a moment's worry.
She was cruising on the outer for Patrick Mullins with a quarter of a mile to negotiate and readily breezed past her rivals racing to the final furlong and a half.
She was clear a furlong down and ran right away for a very easy 11-length success. Harrys Annie took minor hours at 10/3 from 6/1 and was three-quarters of a length ahead of The Lord Maid (66/1).
This bookended the card for Willie Mullins who won the opening maiden hurdle with Highwind
Jockey Patrick Mullins said: “She was very impressive. She was very professional, settled great and quickened up lovely. She handled the ground well.
“Her work was good, but that is probably even better than what she was doing at home. With that pedigree the owners are entitled to get more than a bit excited.
“We’ll go for black type bumpers and everything is on the table. The DRF (Dublin Racing Festival) might come a bit soon and there is Fairyhouse, Punchestown and Aintree. I think she is entitled to take her chance.”
Her owners, the Closutton Racing Club, were out in force to welcome her home.
She was cut from 20/1 to 10/1 for the Champion Bumper by Paddy Power and Betfair.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
