Odds-on Terminal scores on Irish debut

The odds-on French import Terminal took the opening race at Navan today, the 2012 Navan Membership Maiden Hurdle, for his trainer Willie Mullins with Ruby Walsh aboard.

The son of Passing Gale was making his hurdling and Irish debut this afternoon after winning three bumpers in France last year.

In the colours of the Favourites Racing Syndicate, associated with horses such as Livingstonebramble and Something Wells in the past, the 5yo gelding raced prominently throughout and led after the fourth hurdle.

The 4/7 favourite was ridden and pressed from two out but kept on well on the run-in, asserting close home to win by two and three parts of a length.

Recent Down Royal runner-up Hidden Future ran well to take second at 7/1 under Ger Fox while Hawk Flight under Davy Russell was a further short head back in third at 8/1.

Winning trainer Willie Mullins said afterwards: "There wasn't that much pace on and he was quite keen so I was pleased with how much he found.

"I think he stays well and we will find a novice hurdle for him now. Once he is upped in Grade we will see how much he improves.

"I was happy with that and very pleased with his jumping."

Bookmaker Stan James go 20/1 about the winner for the Supreme Novices Hurdle and 16/1 for the Neptune Investment Novices Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March.