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Gary Carson

Gary Carson

Annamix off mark as Townend hits 100

Tue 26th Mar 2019, 14:48

Annamix gets the last wrong as he wins from Raya TimeAnnamix gets the last wrong as he wins from Raya Time
© Photo Healy Racing

Annamix was made to work hard to get off the mark in the opening Goatenbridge Maiden Hurdle at Clonmel this afternoon.

Willie Mullins' charge, who had such a lofty reputation last season but failed to make the track, was sent off a 4/6 shot.

The French-bred had been turned over at the same price on his Irish debut at Limerick over Christmas but got the job done this time.

Paul Townend 's mount tracked Raya Time throughout in the two-miler and the pair were well clear of the field up the back straight.

Annamix challenged two from home and had a narrow lead going to the final flight where he was untidy.

The Martaline gelding stuck on well on the run-in to record a a length-and-a-half success.

It was the 100th winner of the season for Townend and his boss Mullins commented:-

"It is a wonderful performance by Paul and hopefully he will add a few more before the end of the season.

“Himself and Rachael (Blackmore) have lit up the national hunt season and hopefully Rachael can also ride 100 winners late this season.

"I didn't think I'd be going to Clonmel to break that fella's duck and we'll look at a race wherever we can find one before the end of the season.

"I was keen to go novice chasing with him next season and that's why I said we'll try and win a hurdle race with him. He has been long enough trying to win a maiden hurdle and hopefully now we will get him over fences."

(Quotes by Tom Weekes)

1st
4/6Fav
Tote €1.80 €1.02
2nd
1.5L
9/4
€1.10
3rd
20L
10/1
€1.60
4th
2.5L
100/1
About Gary Carson
Gary started out as a trainee/assistant journalist with the Sporting Life newspaper and has worked in the racing industry for over 25 years. He has been with the Press Association since 2013 and won the Irish Field Nap Table in 2016. He enjoys working with horses and trained his own horse, Mamaslittlestar, to win a point-to-point in 2019.