Childrens List forced to dig deep for victory

Paul Townend and Willie Mullins shared a double with Childrens List and Westerner Lady in Downpatrick yesterday.

The combination, denied with hot-pot Listen Dear in the opener, struck when Childrens List, the 6/5 favourite, added to his bumper and maiden hurdle successes in Tramore by capturing the Toals Bookmakers Rated Hurdle.

In front before the second last, the Susannah Ricci-owned five-year-old had to dig deep on the long and demanding run-in to keep Coldstonesober at bay by two and a half lengths, prompting Patrick Mullins, representing his father, to explain: “This horse would be better going the other way. But he’s paying his way and Paul was very good on him.”