Hasaratan impresses in Down Royal opener

Hasaratan from the Andrew Heffernan stable justified favouritism when taking the opening O2 Centre of Excellence Maiden Hurdle in good style.

Andrew Thornton who was doing the steering took up the lead travelling well four from home.

Thornton never had to move a muscle aboard the 7/4 favourite and the pair kept on strongly on the run-in to score by a cosy three lengths.

Winning trainer Heffernan said afterwards: “We gave this lad a lot of time he needed it. He’s stays all day and his jumping was satisfactory.”

“We’ll probably go for a winner’s race next.”