Persia and Mark Walsh © Photo Healy Racing
The Bar One Racing 'Bet On Euro 2020 With Us' Novice Hurdle looked at the mercy of the Joseph O’Brien-trained Persia and the 1/6 favourite duly ran out a wide margin winner.
Mark Walsh sent his mount to the front from an early stage and the Galileo gelding went clear after three out to score by an eased-down fifteen lengths from Batalha
Twice a winner on the Flat last year for Aidan O’Brien, and rated as high as 100 in that sphere, this was a second win in four starts over hurdles for the winner who had got off the mark at Punchestown in May.
“It was very straightforward," said Walsh.
"The opposition wasn't the best so all he had to do was jump around and he did that.
"He is learning the whole time with his jumping, he still has a little bit to learn. He'll be grand with a bit more experience.
"The (first-time) blinkers definitely helped with his jumping. He enjoyed that proper summer ground."
Quotes from Michael Graham
