Bleu De Vassy makes immediate impact on hurdling debut

Having need four attempts to win his bumper, the Gordon Elliott trained Bleu De Vassy wasted no time in getting his career over jumps off to a flying start when landing the O'Neills.com Maiden Hurdle at Fairyhouse.

Jack Kennedy kept it simple on the 6/4f, tracking leader Marlpark throughout. Pushed up to lead early in the straight, Bleu De Vassy had seen off the pace setter when that one came down two out.

Left clear on the run to the final flight, Bleu De Vassey merely had to be pushed out hands and heels to register an effortless 25 length win.

The well backed John The Spark stayed on for second, with Blaze The Way back in third.

Gordon Elliott said: “He's a nice horse and I'm delighted with him.

“He'll get further and he jumped great. I know he's run on heavy ground but for a big horse he probably appreciates it when it's not really soft.

“Jack said that ground is beautiful, it's riding well, and he was very happy with him.

“He'll step up to graded company now.”

Kennedy added:- “It was a lovely way to start, he jumped great. He'll come on plenty from it and he's a nice horse.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson.