Comfort Zone leads over the last © Photo Healy Racing
Owner JP McManus had two notable hurdling debutants in the opening juvenile maiden and it was well-backed second favourite Comfort Zone (9/2 into 10/3 before the off) who relegated odds-on market leader Tekao to third place.
Rated 86 after a relatively light campaign on the Flat, the Churchill homebred improved from mid-division to track the leaders early in the straight and quickened well between the last two flights to soon put his stamp on the race. Tekao looked to be travelling well in front at the second-last but couldn't live with the winner and the favourite's finishing effort was tame as Jazzy Matty came through to split the pair in green and gold.
Six lengths and four were the winning margins and Paddy Power and Betfair introduced the JJ Slevin-partnered winner at 20/1 for the Triumph Hurdle.
Brendan Powell, assistant to winning trainer Joseph O'Brien, said: “He stays a mile and a half well on the Flat. His last run at Leopardstown when he was third to Zoffman was a good run.
“The idea today was to get him jumping and let him finish.
“He jumped great and travelled beautiful. JJ said three out he knew he was going to be thereabouts. He jumped the last well and kept galloping.
“He’s done plenty of schooling at home and jumped very well. Hopefully he’ll be another good juvenile.”
Quotes from Alan Magee
