Napa Valley tastes success on debut

Napa Valley dominated his rivals on debut in the mile maiden for three-year-old colts and geldings in Leopardstown.

The half brother to Group-One winning-sprinter Tiggy Wiggy went off 11/8 favourite for Aidan O'Brien and Seamie Heffernan, and made all after breaking smartly.

He was challenged by Wonwabbitwon approaching the halfway stage, but was going much the better than that rival approaching the straight.

The favourite was ridden a furlong and a half down and began to motor away from Wonwabbitwon and a staying-on Aztec Parade with a furlong to race.

Napa Valley increased the margin and hit the line three and a quarter lengths ahead of Aztec Parade (28/1). Wonwabbitwon was a further length and a half behind in third at 33/1.

Seamie Heffernan said: “The vibes were that he was showing a bit and I was more than happy with him.

“He has a very good pedigree and I knew that he’d have a kick. He’s a fine big horse and he couldn’t have done it any easier. I’ll be looking for the ride on him again!”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee