Conor eases to victory on hurdling debut

The opening race at Navan this afternoon, the Follow Navan Racecourse Facebook 3yo Maiden Hurdle, went to the 8/13 favourite Our Conor

Trained by Dessie Hughes and ridden by Bryan Cooper, the son of Jeremy was making his debut over hurdles this afternoon.

He won twice on the level at Roscommon and Naas in June and was a model of consistency under flat rules.

He travelled well entering the straight and a good jump at the last sealed the deal as he drew clear to win easily by eight and a half lengths.

The Noel Meade trained Casual Creeper finished second at 16/1 under Paul Carberry while Crouching Harry was a further six and a half lengths back in third under Mikey Butler for Eoin Doyle at 9/1.

Dessie Hughes said afterwards: "He can jump! He schooled well from day one. He was fit and his form was good on the flat.

"He handles heavy ground and I suppose it will be Christmas next for him. He is a nice 3yo."

Sean Graham's introduced the winner at 20/1 for the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham in March while Boylesports go 33/1 and Stan James go 20/1 from 40/1.

(Additional reporting by Michael Graham)