Le Richebourg and Mark Walsh pictured on their way to victory© Photo Healy Racing
Le Richebourg ran out an impressive winner of the opener at Killarney, the Sika Signs Maiden Hurdle.
Placed on his first two starts in bumpers, the son of Network was expected to open his account today on his first start over flights.
Easy to back in the morning, the Joseph O'Brien trained gelding came in for plenty of market support on-course, going off the 15/8 favourite from an opening show of 5/2.
Having raced mainly in second under Mark Walsh, the JP McManus owned victor improved to dispute the lead from three out.
He hit the front at the next and soon went on. Staying on strongly from the last to record an easy twelve length success. High School Days who attempted to make all, had to settle for second under Bryan Cooper for Henry De Bromhead at 16/1 (from 20's), while Denham Sound (5/1 from 10/3) was another three and a quarter lengths back in third for Davy Russell and Charles Byrnes.
The well-backed Silver Star (33's this morning and from 9's to 7's on-course) just missed out on the placings. He was another three lengths away in fourth. Easy Gold was also well-backed (9/2 to 9/4 on-course), and he finished fifth under Ruby Walsh for Willie Mullins.
Frank Berry, racing manager for JP McManus, said afterwards: "That was grand and he jumped away very well so you'd have to be delighted with him.
"He likes a bit of good ground and is a novice going forward, so we'll tip away during the summer and see where he ends up. It mightn't have been much of a race but you couldn't ask for any more than he did."
STEWARDS REPORTS
The Turf Club Veterinary Officer reported to the Stewards that Easy Gold trained by W.P. Mullins was cut on its left fore post race.
The Turf Club Veterinary Officer reported to the Stewards that Sunday At Augusta trained by Emmet Mullins was lame post race and burst blood vessels.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
