Smart hurdler wins easily on chase debut

J.P. McManus' former Apprentice Derby winner Common Practice (11/4jf) scored impressively on his chase debut today, landing Wexford's Forth Mountain Trails Beginners Chase for trainer Joseph O'Brien and jockey Simon Torrens.

The McManus-family homebred had attained a hurdles' rating of 140 in recent times and while he had pulled up on his latest run in May, today coasted to a hard-held win having jumped very well.

Torrens moved the five-year-old to lead at the second-last with the pair easing up on the run-in to beat Carnfunnock by eight lengths.

McManus' racing manager Frank Berry later commented “we couldn't find any particular reason for it but he had lost his way over hurdles on his last couple of runs. We gave him a break, he has been popping away grand since and had been schooling well.

“We were hoping he'd run well but didn't know what to expect. He jumped well, although Simon said he dived over the last two. He'll tip away now for the rest of the summer into autumn."

Quotes from Donal Murphy