Usurp off the mark over hurdles Usurp made a winning start to life with Gordon Elliott in an eventful two mile maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse. Moon Bell picked up the lead from Ciaoifsin before the third last as the pair raced clear of the remainder. Usurp and Gleesons Tipp closed right up on the front-runners though coming to the penultimate flight where Moon Bell took a crashing fall. Usurp and Bryan Cooper, in the Gigginstown colours, moved to the front on the run to the last. Although Usurp was pursued by Gleesons Tipp, he was able to see that rival off on the run-in by a length. The winner was returned the 5/2 favourite with Gleesons Tipp a 13/2 chance for Noel Meade and Sean Flanagan. The runner-up kept on well on this his racecourse debut. Erkindale Lady (16/1) took third place, a further 10 lengths away. Gordon Elliott said: “It was a fairly weak race but it’s nice to win over hurdles as he’s really a chaser in the making. The ground is plenty quick enough for him and he’d not want it any quicker.” Usurp ran unplaced in a maiden hurdle and bumper in December and April when with Tony Martin. Additional reporting by Alan Magee
