Derulo wins on debut for Doyle

Derulo took the opening race of the 2016/17 National Hunt season as he claimed the first at Down Royal, the Mac-interiors Maiden Hurdle.

Successful for both Johnny Murtagh and David Elsworth on the level, the son of Arakan was making his debut for Liz Doyle this afternoon.

He was also making his debut over flights, and he went off a 10/1 chance under Sean Flanagan for owner John Dwyer.

Settled in mid-division on the outer he took closer order from three out and soon went third.

He travelled best between runners on the approach to the last, and he hit the front after that flight, keeping on well from there to score by four lengths. The West's Awake (9/1) ran well to finish second under Paul Townend for Edward O'Grady, while the 5/2 favourite Delegate (from 7/2 on-course) was seven lengths back in third under Bryan Cooper for Gordon Elliott.

Liz Doyle said afterwards: "I was worried about the penalty but for that I thought we would have a fair squeak.

"He does jump well. He got a beautiful ride. Sean just hung on to him, it's a long old way up that straight.

"He's a lovely horse to get. The owner thought he would enjoy hurdles so that's how I got him. He'll go the novice route for the summer."

John Dwyer is a new owner for Doyle and is an Irishman based in London.

Additional reporting by Michael Graham