Allegorie De Vassy lands extraordinary Solerina as Brandy Love goes askew

Fairyhouse: Saturday

After landing the BetVictor Solerina Mares Novice Hurdle, Willie Mullins arguably has a stronger hand in the division for the Cheltenham Festival, and that was even with the best mare in the race failing to win.

Victory went to the inexperienced Allegorie De Vassy under Sean O'Keeffe as she made it two out of two over hurdles in Ireland, both at this track. The 7-4 joint-favourite was very straightforward in the manner of her jumping and galloping and found plenty from the last to score by three and a half lengths. It was another big-race winner for O'Keeffe, who is proving himself a more than capable go-to rider.

The winner was cut to a general 7-2 favourite for the Cheltenham mares' novice hurdle and the winning trainer said: "She did it well and I think the jump she threw in at the last showed what she had left in the locker. She did everything we could have asked and she'll improve further. I imagine she'll go straight to Cheltenham."

By contrast the race went far from smoothly for her stable companion and joint-favourite Brandy Love. Paul Townend attempted to make all but from the first flight past the stands she began to jump violently left with the champion jockey struggling to keep her on the track at times.

The worst example of all was probably at the final flight, and all things considered it was an extraordinary performance to be beaten a mere three and a half lengths.

She hardened to a general 5-1 shot for the mares' novice hurdle and Mullins said: "She showed that tendency at Naas last time, and going left-handed will be a big plus for her. That was a very big run from her and she'll be going to Cheltenham with the winner."

Ha gives Townend last laugh

If Paul Townend thought he needed a second steering wheel on Brandy Love, he might have had some similar early thoughts when partnering Ha D'Or for Willie Mullins and Rich Ricci in the first division of the 2m maiden hurdle.

The French-bred ran around at a few of the early flights but soon warmed to his task and, despite racing keenly the whole way, was far too good for the opposition.

He was certainly not flattered by the two-and-a-quarter-length margin of victory over decent Flat handicapper Celestial Horizon, the two pulling a long way clear.

Mullins said: "He did that very well and his jumping is very sharp. He has a fair engine. Paul said it was like sitting on a time-bomb, you didn't know when it was going to go off. But I'm very pleased with how he jumped considering the speed he was going into some of those hurdles. If he could transfer that to fences next season he could be an exciting two-mile novice."

Results, replays and analysis

Saturday's race reports:

Cleeve Hurdle: Paisley Park stuns Champ with 'special' comeback to land Cleeve hat-trick

Ruby Walsh: 'It's lucky Aidan Coleman was riding because I would have given up'

Peter Thomas: Phenomenal Paisley allows us Brits to forget those gaudy green banners for now (Members' Club)

Expert jury: 'It's going to take a good one to beat him in the Triumph Hurdle'

Cheltenham: Supreme an option for 'classy' new Triumph Hurdle favourite, says Gordon Elliott

Cotswold Chase: Chantry House provides JP McManus with 4,000th winner in Cotswold Chase

Sky Bet Chase: Windsor Avenue battles back for Sky Bet victory on stellar day for Brian Ellison

Doncaster: Arkle bid in doubt for Third Time Lucki after suffering setback in Lightning win

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