Universe wins staying maiden hurdle in Great style The Martin Brassil-trained Great Universe cruised home to run out a very easy winner of the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden Hurdle at Sligo this afternoon. Ricky Doyle produced the Universal gelding to challenge two from home in the extended three-mile-one contest and he went on turning for home. The 7/2 shot skipped clear on the run-in, on the bridle, to record a seven-length win over Machismo. Great Universe had made no impression on his return in handicap company at Listowel last month but had some strong placed form last season and was tackling a staying trip for the first time today. Doyle said:- "He had the form in the book, including his bumper runs, and did it well there. “It obviously wasn't the strongest contest but I'm delighted with him. He's maturing the whole time, mentally and physically. "Martin and the lads at home have done a great job with him because he wasn't always the easiest. "When I rode him at Down Royal last Christmas he never switched off and didn't jump as well as he can. He was in the right stable to get plenty of time and the main thing today was to get him to relax. “To have any future in this game, he has to learn to do that. Today he did, and then had the ability to pick them off. "Hopefully he'll jump a fence in time and be a bit of fun for his new owner Steve (Waite) and his partner." (Quotes by Mark Nunan)
