Warrior justifies favouritism under McCoy Egyptian Warrior got off the mark on his second start over flights as he took the M.S.D. Animal Health Maiden Hurdle under Tony McCoy for Aidan O’Brien. The JP McManus (completing a quick double) owned son of Galileo finished fourth to Tandem on his hurdles debut at Navan earlier this month and he since finished well-beaten in a handicap at Leopardstown on Saturday. Backed from 2/1 into 15/8 favouritism on-course he tracked the leader in second and improved to lead before the last. He was ridden out on the run-in and kept on well to score by two and a half lengths. Tom’s Article finished second at 2/1 under Paul Carberry for Gordon Elliott while Fill Your Hands was a further length and a half back in third also at 2/1. Aidan O’Brien said afterwards: “He jumping improved a nice bit today from Navan. Anthony was delighted with him and it is great for JP. He likes a bit of nice ground and if it stays like that he will probably keep busy." Additional reporting by Alan Magee
