Willie Mullins’ Wee Giant made a winning hurdle debut when taking the opening Tayto Maiden Hurdle at Downpatrick today, providing jockey Ruby Walsh with his 12th of the season.

Wee Giant raced on the inner throughout, made a mistake at fourth flight, progresses from two out before eventually getting his head in front inside the final furlong before recording a five lengths win over Karkari

Mullins was absent but Peter McCarthy, husband of owner Sandra McCarthy, stated “apart from the early mistake he jumped very well. We bought originally thinking he was well handicapped on the Flat but the plan was always to go hurdling.”