IRISH STALLION FARMS

EBF MARES CHAMPION

HURDLE (GRADE 1)

AT the end of a meeting that produced its share of surprise outcomes, the biggest one of all came in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Champion Hurdle as the unconsidered Whiteout upstaged stablemate Limini.

Limini (11/10) and the exciting Slowmotion looked as though they could dominate this Grade 1 but instead a revelatory display from Whiteout, in the colours of local owner David Lawlor, enabled her to steal the show.

Like many others this week Whiteout was coming here off trips to Cheltenham and Aintree but she saved much her best effort for this meeting.

Although she had pulled up at Aintree last time, her previous fifth in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham was a good run and she won a listed contest at this track in November. Even so the Samum mare’s best form still looked to leave her with plenty to find under Paul Townend.

A switch to forcing tactics clearly suited Whiteout (16/1) well and she cut out much of the running. She did relinquish the lead to Keppols Queen for a period but was back in front rounding the last bend.

At this point Slowmotion was under strong pressure and struggling while the patiently ridden Limini, who made a few mistakes, had loomed up menacingly.

However, Limini could then find no more as the final flight loomed whereas Whiteout had lots in reserve and she pulled out a decent lead which she extended all the way to the line.

The relatively inexpensively-bought daughter of Samum, who was picked up out of a claimer in France, finished with four and three-quarter lengths to spare.

Keppols Queen took third ahead of fellow Jessica Harrington-trained runner Rock On The Moor while Slowmotion was fifth.

“We changed tactics today and decided to be positive with her and it’s clearly paid off. She likes this track and she did jump very well,” said Willie Mullins. “I actually booked her in to visit Shantou earlier in the week but we’ll see now about plans. We would have the option of going to France but I think there could be a good staying flat handicap in her and that’s the route we might go with her.

“Limini just didn’t jump well enough. Ruby rode a waiting race on her but she made a few mistakes and you can’t jump like that and expect to win a Grade 1,” added the trainer.