Maguire takes the plaudits as Dairy proves a Force over hurdles

Dairy Force made the best possible start to his jumping career when taking the www.kilbegganraces.com (Q.R.) Maiden Hurdle.

This two-mile event was for horses who had run at least three times under Rules and not finished in the first three and the Liam O’Brien-trained gelding was fourth in a bumper here last time.

The 4/1 (from 6/1) chance was confidently ridden by Finny Maguire, making headway approaching the straight before switched left to challenge on the run-in.

The Workforce gelding quickened up nicely to beat 3/1 favourite Irina’s Path by two and a quarter lengths with Seskin Flash a further length and three-quarters back in third.

O’Brien said, “I’m delighted with him. He ran here three weeks ago in a bumper and Finny got on with him so we put him up again today and he was absolutely brilliant on him.

“He’s still a big baby. He was free early on and it was only the fourth run of his life.

“It’s great to get a winner and it gives the whole thing a lift.”

Maguire said, “I rode him in a bumper here the last day and he was very keen so I was hoping they would go a nice gallop and I could switch him off.

“He was still a bit keen but he jumped very well. I came there very easily and was contemplating staying down the rail for a gap after the last, but I thought if it didn’t go right it would be my own fault.

“He was green when I hit the front. He’s still a baby but has a bit of class and has done it really well.

“It’s nice to ride a horse that is giving you confidence the longer you go. Liam didn’t tie me down, he left it to me, and it couldn’t have went any better.

“I don’t think it was a strong bumper that he was fourth in and that was a 2m3f bumper. I thought he was slow that day but it’s amazing the difference between a bumper and a hurdle the feel a horse can give you.”