Rio takes opener in style

Sizing Rio ran out an easy winner of the opening maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse this afternoon.

The free-running Strategic Bid took the field along in the two mile event but gave way three from home to the Henry de Bromhead-trained gelding.

He soon kicked clear and the result never looked in doubt as he galloped on strongly down the straight under Paul Carberry

The well-backed 13/8 shot (7/2 in morning) recorded a cosy 18-length winning margin. Cops And Robbers was sent off the 8/11 favourite but failed to make any inroads on the winner in second place.

The winner had been fancied for a Punchestown bumper back in April, finishing mid-division, having won a point-to-point in February.

"He was very good in his point-to-point the day he won but he was very disappointing when he ran in the bumper at Punchestown," said de Bromhead

"We couldn't really put our finger on what went wrong but he's put that behind him now.

"I was tempted to go for another bumper the way he's been working but he jumps well so we decided to go over hurdles.

"His half-brother Sizing Mexico was a real out-and-out stayer but this lad's a lot sharper.

"He'll probably go for a two-mile novice somewhere within the next month."

(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)