Quevega Mares Hurdle
Listed, Punchestown 15:05 €32,500 added, 4yo plus, 2m 4f, Class 1
Wednesday 21st February 2018

1 Meri Devie 5/4F
2 Alletrix 13/8
3 Alighting 33/1
6 ran
Distances: 5l, 1½l, 1¾l Time: 5m 19.40s

Back-to-back wins for Willie Mullins in the race named after his former stable star

Meri Devie
© Caroline Norris

The French-bred was recording a quick double on the card for trainer Willie Mullins and his nephew David, in the saddle.

The 5/4 favourite tracked leader Alighting in the two-and-a-half mile contest before jumping up to lead five from home.

Market rival Alletrix improved to dispute over the third last but Meri Devie showed a good turn of foot turning for home to take the advantage.

The winner flicked through the last but galloped on strongly in the closing stages to seal matters and David Mullins could afford to ease up close home for a five length verdict.

The winner had finished fifth behind Alletrix in handicap company at the Dublin racing festival last time but was 21lb better off at the weights today.

Mullins said: "I thought she was well-in there and she jumped well. She got a nice lead the whole way and when push came to shove, she produced the little bit of class that we think she might have.

"We're very happy with that and can look forward to bringing her over (to Cheltenham) for the Mares' Hurdle. Two and a half miles is no problem to her and as the season goes on, she can go up in trip."

Quevega Mares Hurdle (Listed)
€30,000 added, 4yo plus, 2m 4f 50y, Class 1
6 ran
Going: Soft to Heavy

Pos	D	Horse SP	Jockey Weight	Trainer	Age
1st		Meri Devie (FR) 5/4f	D J Mullins 10-9	W P Mullins	5
2nd	5	Alletrix (IRE) 13/8	R M Power 10-9	Mrs J Harrington	5
3rd	1½	Alighting 33/1	S W Flanagan 10-11	Joseph P O'Brien	6
4th	1¾	Pravalaguna (FR) 9/2	D E Mullins 10-11	W P Mullins	6
5th	3¾	Minnies Secret (IRE) 12/1	P T Enright 10-11	C Byrnes	6
6th	½	Jaime Sommers (IRE) 33/1	C A Landers 10-11	M J Bowe	6