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Gary Carson

Gary Carson

Bubbles takes the opener

Sat 2nd Mar 2013, 14:17

Call Me Bubbles and Paul Townend jump the lastCall Me Bubbles and Paul Townend jump the last
© Photo Healy Racing

Call Me Bubbles opened his jumping account in impressive fashion when taking the opening juvenile maiden hurdle at Navan this afternoon.

Willie Mullins' charge had disappointed on his hurdling debut at Leopardstown over Christmas but left that run well behind.

Paul Townend always had his mount prominent and he took over in the lead at the fourth flight.

Boss's Star and Courage tried to peg back the well backed 11/8 favourite (5/2 in morning) in the straight but couldn't live with the French-bred gelding as he quickened smartly in the closing stages.

The winner showed a good turn of foot on the run-in to go on for a cosy five-length victory. Courage kept on into second while Boss's Star just held on for third, from Hurricane Sky as he faded.

“He jumped a lot better today and he stayed well,” said Mullins.

“He'll probably go to Fairyhouse and he'll resume his Flat career at some stage.”

Call Me Bubbles had been progressive on the level last summer, winning twice.

(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)

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.