French Aseel cruises home on hurdles debut

The 7/2 favourite (from 11/2) French Aseel trained by Ellemarie Holden, was a very impressive winner of the opening Paddy Power 3-y-o Maiden Hurdle.

Denis O’Regan’s mount was always close to the pace and took the lead before the final flight (usual second-last) before cruising clear up the straight to win by 22 lengths in very taking fashion. Coltor (6/1) came through for second with Ilmig (9/2) in third place.

The winner, making his debut over flights, acquired plenty of racing experience on the Flat in France, where he won once in nine starts.

He’s a son of French Fifteen who chased home Camelot in the 2012 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket.

The sponsors introduced French Aseel at 25/1 for the Triumph Hurdle before quickly revising that to 10/1 (also 10/1 with Betfair).

Winning owner, and father of the successful trainer, Paul Holden said: “We bought him in Arqana (for 62,000 Euros) in July. He won over a mile in France.

“We were just waiting to get him right for a juvenile hurdle. We knew he had ability and he also handled soft ground in France.

“He showed plenty of class there and we’ll probably look at a Graded race next.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee