Airlie Beach wins again

Airlie Beach stretched her unbeaten record to five with an authoritative all-the-way victory in the Pat Walsh Memorial European Breeders Fund Mares Hurdle at Gowran Park.

Successful on her only bumper start at Kilbeggan last summer, the Willie Mullins-trained mare returned from almost a year off to make a winning debut over hurdles at the County Westmeath circuit in July before completing a course hat-trick at the start of August.

Having also impressed on her fourth start at Galway, Airlie Beach was the 4/9 favourite stepped up to Listed class, with Ruby Walsh taking over in the saddle from Paul Townend for the first time.

Just as she had done on her two most recent starts, the market leader was soon bowling along at the head of affairs and Walsh gradually upped the ante.

While still appearing green at one or two of her obstacles, Airlie Beach quickened well rounding the home turn and despite fluffing the last, she picked up again to score by six lengths.

Last year’s winner Daisy’s Gift, a stablemate of the winner, just beat Billy’s Hope to the runner-up spot.

Mullins said: “She seems to be …

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