The Big Doyen and Sean Flanagan© Photo Healy Racing
Dual bumper winner The Big Doyen (1/4f) concluded the recent 2022/23 season without success but got off the mark over jumps today when easily justifying 1/4 favouritism with a 16-lengths Tipperary maiden hurdle win.
The six-year-old had the world at his feet following his 15-lengths winners' bumper success at Punchestown in November 2021 and while finishing runner-up thrice last season, failed to score from five hurdles.
Today jockey Sean Flanagan steered the gelding to a clear-cut, unextended success over inferior rivals.
Winning trainer Peter Fahey reported “I didn't think we'd have to wait this long to win over hurdles and it is long overdue. Things didn't work out for him last season, he was second in a good few maiden hurdles, ran in some competitive races and ended up having a hard season.
“Things didn't work out in a valuable handicap at Fairyhouse and he came back wrong but the time off freshened him up.
“He is keen and forward-going but enjoyed tipping away in front today. He'll go to Galway for a hurdle next and then we'll see what happens but he might head on over fences afterwards.”
