Sicario off the mark over hurdles for McNiff & Enright

The 9/4 favourite (from 11/2 this morning) Sicario landed the opening KilbegganRaces.com Maiden Hurdle in the hands of Phillip Enright.

The three-time Flat winner got a good run around the inner and jumped through to dispute the lead two out.

He was quick again at the last and forged clear to beat Ed The Red (14/1) by two and three quarter lengths, with Malbas (11/1) another two lengths away in third.

The 6-year-old had been raised 7lb for his third to Canford Light over course and distance last month and was getting off the mark on his ninth start over hurdles.

Winning trainer Mark McNiff said: “He’d a good run here the last day in what was probably a better race than this. Around here suits him well as there is very little jumping to be done.

“He jumped fairly well and Phillip gave him a good ride. Denis O’Regan rode him the last day and thought he’d win next time so he was right.

“I’m not sure where we’ll go next and we might go back to the Flat with him.”

Quotes from Alan Magee