Fergal O'Brien © Photo Healy Racing
Horaces Pearl looks to have a bright future after carrying his bumper form into a taking debut hurdles success for Fergal O'Brien.
The six-year-old came out of his National Hunt Flat career unbeaten having taken three contests, the last of which was at Grade Two level at Aintree.
His reputation saw him sent off the 1-5 favourite on his first start over hurdles at Huntingdon on Saturday, where he was ridden by Connor Brace in a two-mile maiden event.
His jumping improved as he went on and he was ultimately impressive in claiming a six-length victory.
“It was a great run. I know when you go there and you’re odds-on, you expect to win, but they have to go and do it on the track,” said O’Brien.
“He did it very well, he jumped well and he was very good and professional.
“He was a bit green to start with but he got better as he went on and I was really, really pleased with him.
“It was lovely to see him learn; the further the race went, the better he got.”
As for next steps, O’Brien added: “There are a couple of options, we’ll give him a few days and see how he comes out of it.
“I think next time he can step up in grade, or as he’s a nice, big horse, he could go for another novice with a penalty – we’ve got plenty of options for him.”
O’Brien has another nice prospect in the six-year-old Ryan’s Rocket, who made his first start over fences a winning one at Chepstow on Friday.
After jumping fluently in the main and prevailing by three lengths, the chestnut is now likely to make his second start over the bigger obstacles over the Christmas period.
“He was very good, I was really pleased with him,” the trainer said.
“He did it very well and Jack (Hogan) gave him a lovely ride. A bit like Horaces Pearl, he was a bit steady to start with and he warmed up as he went into it.
“Two miles isn’t his trip, but when you can win over that minimum trip, it just opens everything up down the line.
“There are no immediate plans for him, he takes a bit of time between his races, so we’ll probably run him again around Christmas.”
