Espoir D'Allen lands the odds in Juvenile Hurdle

Espoir D’allen maintained his unbeaten record with a convincing display in the Bar One Racing Juvenile Hurdle.

The 8/13 favourite, successful in France before joining Gavin Cromwell and now four from four over hurdles, asserted after two out to quickly settled the issue.

The early pace in this Grade 3 event was sedate but Barry Geraghty’s mount showed a nice turn of foot at the business end and had four and a half lengths to spare over chief market rival Mitchouka

Cromwell said, “I was very impressed with that as he took it up early and went about his business and did it well. Leopardstown will be on the cards and he will certainly get an entry. I’ll have to talk to JP and Frank and see what they want to do.

“He doesn’t show very much at home but when he comes to the track he answers all the questions. I think he’s versatile ground wise, and horses by the sire Voix Du Nord seem to dig deep. He hasn’t been asked yet but I think he’ll stay very well.”

Geraghty said, “He's a lovely lovely horse. He jumps really well and gives you a real quality feel. When you are riding a good horse, who is the right type, you can do as you please.”

Boylesports go 10/1 (from 16/1) for the Triumph Hurdle while Paddy Power and Betfair were more impressed and go 15/2 and 7/1 respectively.