Echo Park wins on hurdles bow

Echo Park (13/8), twice a winner on the flat last year, made a winning start over hurdles when landing the Dale Farm Dromona Mares’ Maiden Hurdle, completing a quick across the card double for Jessica Harrington after Cayenne Pepper rsquo;s Group 3 win at the Curragh.

The four-year-old filly by Elusive Pimpernel was always handy and gradually warmed to her task over the obstacles, going on after two out to beat Mademoiselle Penny (25/1) and Iamastartoo (6/4 fav) by four and a half and four and three quarter lengths.

"Yeah she did (race with plenty of zest), said winning rider Robbie Power.

"Her schooling at home had been unbelievable, nearly too good at home.

"She never made a mistake (at home) and when she made a mistake at the first two hurdles she actually frightened herself a little bit.

"She took a bit of time to warm up to her jumping then after that but over the last three or four hurdles she was very good.

"I was thrilled with her. She was 91 rated Flat horse at one stage and she just lost her way this year, but that will do her confidence the world of good to get her head back in front.

"There's a lot of improvement to come from her because she was very green today. You would hope she would progress."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham