White Feathers clears the last at Kilbeggan to win in style under Paul Townend© Photo Healy Racing
White Feathers continued her improvement for trainer Garrett Power when stretching away from her seven rivals to comfortably land the two miles three furlongs mares hurdle at Kilbeggan.
Jockey Paul Townend was content to race second behind the well-backed Dazzling Susie (4/1 to 9/4), but once he moved his mare into contention three out the race was as good as over as the pair quickened away to win by eight and a half lengths at odds of 9/2. Shabra Charity completed the placings in third at 25/1 six lengths further back. Meanwhile, Supreme Carolina the 11/8 favourite for Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh, disappointed in fourth beaten twent one and a half lengths.
White Feathers is becoming somewhat of a Kilbeggan expert. She was runner-up in a bumper on 4 May before winning a maiden hurdle on 12 May. This was another step up in form today.
“I’m delighted. She was impressive. She came back with a little nick there as she got close to one down the back,” handler Garrett Power said.
“She improved from the last day and loves it round here. The bit of rain helped. I was a bit worried about a four-year-old taking on older horses, but she put it to bed early.
“We might have a crack at Galway. We’ll see what the handicapper does with her. We had it in our head if she turned out ok to go for the Galway Hurdle next year.
“The owner’s uncle had a second in the Galway Hurdle almost 50 years ago with a horse called Tinkers Hill. There’s a race for her on the first day of Galway. It might be the more sensible option.”
Michael Graham
