Red Gerry getting the hang of jumping hurdles

A fast jump two out brought Red Gerry (7/4) right into contention in the Westgrove Hotel 4-y-o Maiden Hurdle and Sean Flanagan was able to get a nice run up the inner as he turned for home.

The blinkered Canford Cliffs gelding asserted on the run to the last and a good jump there sealed victory as he drew six lengths ahead of 11/8 favourite Kendancer Plains Indian (18/1) was a creditable third on hurdles debut.

The winner, took a 12f maiden at Tipperary last year and is rated in the low 80s on the level.

He was getting off the mark at the fourth time of asking over hurdles.

Winning trainer Noel Meade said: “He was entitled to that and it has just taken him a while to learn to jump quicker.

"He’s been a bit slicker every time he’s run, and I suppose the trainer was wrong to run him over two and a half in Down Royal.

“He got a bit bogged down on the ground in the north. He likes soft ground but it was very heavy that day down the back.

"It was probably an easier race today and he didn’t have a winner’s penalty either.

“I’d imagine he’ll go for the Lartigue Hurdle in Listowel. It would seem the obvious place to go with him.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee