Realist impresses on hurdles bow

Making his debut for Denise Foster, Realist (14/1) was an easy winner of the McCartanbet.com Text-A-Bet 3-Y-O Hurdle and looks an interesting recruit to the winter game.

Racing to the third last the Camelot gelding still had most of the field in front him and was a little awkward at that flight.

Pushed along before the next, Bryan Cooper’s mount got a clear run through on the inner to move closer to the leaders at the last. He was back on the bridle at that stage, and cruised past several rivals on the run-in to score by a length and three quarters from the 13/8 favourite Bell Ex One

Bred by the Queen and out of a half-sister to Oaks runner-up Flight Of Fancy, the winner was bought for 36,000 guineas at the July Sales having won over ten furlongs on the all-weather for Michael Bell.

Bryan Cooper commented: "He has plenty of speed and he was very well schooled by Denise (Foster).I didn't have much light but it opened up down the straight.

"I'd say he has got a nice engine to go forward with. He's one to look forward to.

"There's lovely juice in the ground and they have done a good job considering the weather we have had."

Quotes from Michael Graham