Consort strikes on debut over flights

Rockview Consort made the perfect start to life over flights, as she claimed the Bluegrass Horse Feeds Maiden Hurdle.

Successful on the level when last seen at Dundalk in February, the John McConnell-trained bay was sent off a 5/1 chance this evening, with Ben Harvey in the saddle.

Settled behind the leaders, she improved into a closer second after the fourth. Coming with her challenge two out, the Rockview Stables-owned victor jumped the last in a share of the lead and was ridden to the front on the run-in, coming home half-a-length to the good.

Sent off the 11/10 favourite, Born In Purple had to settle for second after attempting to make all under Paul Townend for Willie Mullins.

Returned at 5/2, Como Park was another nine-lengths away in third, in a race where very few got involved.

"I had done plenty of schooling on her at home. John does a lot of schooling with his horses to make sure they jump well first time out. It was a big ask for her around here first time over hurdles," Harvey commented.

"I think she is a real nice filly, she is a Camelot and has a future over hurdles.

"She is still pretty unexposed on the flat and had a lot of placed form before winning her maiden at Dundalk. She has the option of going back on the flat too."