Benbulben Boy scores on hurdling debut

Benbulben Boy got his jumping career off to a bright start when taking the Shanagolden Maiden Hurdle in fine style at Limerick.

The Yeats gelding indicated ability in two bumper outings last year and continued a good recent run here for rider Keith Donoghue.

The Denise Foster-trained 10/1 chance jumped to the front at the penultimate flight and soon asserted, keeping on well on the run-in to beat Old Durham Town by four lengths. Karakhan was a further five lengths back in third, while 4/5 favourite Baltic Moon made a number of jumping errors eventually finishing sixth.

Donoghue said, "It was his first run over hurdles, he jumped well and was good over the last two. He had a good run the first day in a bumper in Galway and the last day the ground might have been a bit heavy for him.

"He got away with the ground today and will be a grand horse for the summer."

(TW & AM)