Rushmount delights Sweeney in Thurles

Rushmount played cat and mouse with his main market rivals before scooting away from them in the extended 2m7f maiden hurdle at Thurles.

This Shirocco gelding was runner-up in a couple of point-to-points and made a highly pleasing racecourse debut when just held by a neck over a similar trip in a maiden hurdle at this track in November. That effort saw him go off 10/11 favourite today.

Michael O'Sullivan kept an eye on Nas Na Riogh and Find A Fortune in third and pushed the button after two out. The race was soon over after the pair asserted before the last and moved clear on the run-in. They cruised in by eight lengths from 3/1 runner-up Find A Fortune.

Trainer Jonathan Sweeney said: "I'm delighted with him and delighted for his owners, the Moakleys, who, when I was 16, I did four or five seasons with Paddy (Moakley). He's a home-bred and hopefully now will build on that.

"The plan had been to go to Leopardstown over Christmas, but then he had a setback coming up to it. In fairness to the owners they have been patient with him and he is a nice horse. 

"He jumps really well and could do a lot over hurdles before he eventually going chasing.

"I thought he might be better on better ground, but it looks like he isn't ground dependant."

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes