Virtual Hug keeps rivals at arm's length

The gowranpark.ie 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle went to Virtual Hug (12s into 15/2 on the show) who was prominent throughout under Ricky Doyle.

The Buratino gelding led from before halfway but looked beaten when the free-running Inca Prince went past him between the final two flights.

The latter got right in under the last, though, and Virtual Hug took full advantage to beat Helvic Princess by two and a half lengths with Inca Prince, who had no more to give after his mistake, back in third.

A 63-rated maiden on the Flat, the winner was getting off the mark on his third start over hurdles.

Winning trainer Conor O’Dwyer said: “He ran two lovely races over hurdles but even on the Flat he was getting things over a bit quicker than he should have — always a bit keen.

“He’s after learning a huge amount and the jumping stood to him today.

“I’d say we’ll give him a nice break as he’s not a winter horse. We might bring him back in Dundalk in the spring and then jumping for the summer. He could turn into a nice dual-purpose type of horse.

“He has a bit of filling out still to do and we’ll give him time now to do that.”

Quotes from Alan Magee