Lucky Popcorn off the mark

FOLLOWING two cracking efforts at Punchestown and Navan, Willie Mullins’ Popcorn got off the mark over flights when landing the Holy Cross Maiden Hurdle at Thurles yesterday.

Whether it was a fortuitous success or not, however, is certainly a matter of opinion. Backed from 8-11 to 4-7, the winner made most of the running.

Academy Rose, though, ranged up as a major danger going to the second last. Popcorn crashed through the obstacle, losing momentum, but Academy Rose, about a length down, made no effort to get to the other side and sent Davy Russell spinning to the turf.