Istabraq Hurdle Result: Stars eclipsed by Unaccompanied

The Cheltenham Festival / Timeform / 29 December 2011 / Leave a Comment

Dermot Weld was in the winners' enclosure at Leopardstown on Thursday afternoon.

"Once Townend asked his mount a question on the run to the final flight, she quickened up well, with a bold leap sealing a one-and-a-half-length victory..."

Dermot Weld's Unaccompanied grabbed Grade One glory in the Istabraq Festival Hurdle at Leopardstown...

Paul Townend anchored last season's Triumph Hurdle runner-up towards the back of the pack for much of the contest, but she made good headway into third before the turn for home and returned at a Betfair SP of ([4.64]), having never traded any higher than([5.0]) in running.

Once Townend asked his mount a question on the run to the final flight, she quickened up well, with a bold leap sealing a one-and-a-half-length victory.

Thousand Stars, sent off the ([2.1]) favourite, was second.

The grey, Willie Mullins' sole representative in the absence of Hurricane Fly - was the hot favourite following an impressive front-running victory in last month's Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown.

Ruby Walsh employed different tactics this time and while the grey stayed on towards the finish, Unaccompanied had already built up an unassailable lead.

The Dermot Weld-trained filly, in receipt of 10lb from the favourite and the majority of the field, lined up on the back of a Listed win at Naas and took this step up in class in her stride.

The Champion Hurdle, for which she can currently be backed at [13.5], could be next on her agenda, whilst the prospect of taking on Quevega in the Mares' Hurdle ([7.2]) at the Festival will also be tempting.