Zig Zag best after all the drama

The Devils Bit 3-y-o Maiden Hurdle at Thurles could be remembered for the antics of the errant Ashjan as much as anything else, but the spoils did go the way of the Joseph O'Brien-trained and Jody McGarvey-ridden Zig Zag

Unfortunately Hint Of Frost took a horrible fall at the second flight. At the same juncture the aforementioned Ashjan slammed on the brakes and odds-on favourite Mega Fortune crashed into him from behind. Jack Kennedy's mount had been bumped by the same rival at the first and he hit the deck then at that next.

Twenty to one shot Moorland then made a good fist of things from the front, but the consistent Zig Zag was deserving of a first hurdling success which he ultimately achieved by three parts of a length.

"That was a long time coming but he's so tricky. He has plenty of ability but has thrown it away a couple of times," said McGarvey.

"I was fortunate there were a few casualties early on. I was keen not to get to the front, and took a lead as long as I could."

(AM & EM)