Journey maintains unbeaten record with smooth hurdles win

Journey With Me made it three from three with an impressive display in the Pigsback.com Maiden Hurdle at Leopardstown.

The Henry de Bromhead-trained gelding had landed a bumper for owners Robcour back in March having scored on his sole outing 'between the flags'.

Rachael Blackmore was soon prominent on the Mahler gelding today, in the two-and-a-half mile contest, and took over from 4/9 favourite Kilcruit after three hurdles.

He had the Grade 1 bumper winner under pressure early in the straight and stretched away bypassing the final flight.

3/1 shot Journey With Me went on to post a cosy three-and-a-half length win as Minella Crooner finished off well to grab the runner-up spot.

“I'm delighted with him, he's a lovely horse. He obviously won his bumper well, and his point-to-point, and he did it really well. He stays well,” said de Bromhead.

“It's generally a decent race, Stattler won it last year. We were hoping to go to Navan a few weeks ago but the ground was a bit good so we waited for here and it's turned out to be the right decision. Hopefully he'll be okay in the morning.”

When told he was now favourite for the Ballymore Hurdle he added:- “It's not a bad sign but he's won a maiden hurdle and there is still a long way to go. We're delighted to win that.

“He's bucked the trend of our Christmas anyhow, one of the few to buck it, so that's great. It must mean he's a good horse if he can win this week!”

Betfair went 5/1 from 12/1 for the Ballymore Hurdle while Boylesports make the winner a 6/1 shot.