Early Doors and Mark Walsh© Photo Healy Racing
J P McManus won the first at Naas with a promising youngster in Red Jack and he has another exciting four-year-old on his hands judging by Early Door's success in the Grade 3 Fishery Lane Hurdle.
The success of the Soldier Of Fortune gelding in the third event at the County Kildare venue, also heralded the completion of a double for Mark Walsh, who rode Red Jack a winner in the opener for Joseph O'Brien.
He 'missed' the second last as the well-backed Duca De Thaix moved up travelling ominously.
However when the need was greatest Early Doors flew the last and went on to beat favourite Meri Devie by two lengths. Delta Work finished four and three parts of a length back in third, whilst the aforementioned Duca De Thaix faded into fourth.
"He grinded it out well. Mark liked him at Wexford. He was a bit green there and he thought he'd improve, which he has. He jumped a bit novicey early but he got the hang of it well. You would have to be pleased with him," said McManus' racing manager Frank Berry.
"It was nice to get today out of the way and we'll see where we go now. He handled the ground quite well and hopefully will go on from there."
(AM & EM)
