Townends strike again with Rashid Port Rashid was delivered with a well timed run by Jody Townend to score for her father Tim in the Connolly's Red Mills (Ladies Pro/Am) Handicap Hurdle at Thurles. The nine-year-old, who was switching back from chasing, proved easy to back in the two-miler, returning 16/1 having been 8/1 in the morning. The Dubai Destination gelding was held up in the early stages. He was asked to take closer order going to the second last and stayed on to make a line of four challenging before the final flight. Knockraha Boss gained a narrow advantage after the last but was trumped by Port Rashid on the run-in as he quickened up to score by a length-and-a-half. The winning rider said afterwards:- "I rode my first ever winner on him over hurdles (at Tramore, April 2018) and he has been a great servant. He is brilliant. "His form hadn't been great of late but we put the tongue-tie back on him today and it must have worked and he has had his wind done. "It is a shame because Dad is at the sales at Cheltenham. It's my first winner since Great White Shark at Galway (in the Amateur Handicap) so I'm off the cold list. "I ride out in Willie's (Mullins) four days a week and go home to ride out at Dad's and Garrett Ahern's too. I'm definitely open to taking more rides." Jody's brother Paul had also been on the mark earlier on the card when partnering easy winner Salsaretta. (Quotes by Tom Weekes)
