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Zaidpour proves class act in Lismullen

ZaidpourZaidpour
© Photo Healy Racing

Zaidpour dominated from the front as he landed the odds with the minimum of fuss in the Ladbrokes Ireland Lismullen Hurdle at Navan.

Ruby Walsh bounced out in front on the 8/13 favourite in the Grade 2 event and he quickened up smartly in the closing stages to land the spoils.

Willie Mullins' charge was asked for an effort before the final flight and proved much too strong for his rivals as he posted a two-and-a-half length victory. Noble Endeavor ran on in the closing stages to pip Darwins Fox for the runner-up spot.

“It was straight-forward and the conditions of the race suited,” said Mullins afterwards.

“I thought the ground was probably still too good for him and Ruby said he felt it a bit.

“We'll motor on now The Hatton's Grace looks the obvious thing to do now I suppose.

“He'll go three miles the first opportunity we get. Three miles on soft ground is what we want with him.

“Hopefully he'll improve a bit but he is good fresh and is best early in the season.”

About Gary Carson
Gary started out as a trainee/assistant journalist with the Sporting Life newspaper and has worked in the racing industry for over 25 years. He has been with the Press Association since 2013 and won the Irish Field Nap Table in 2016. He enjoys working with horses and trained his own horse, Mamaslittlestar, to win a point-to-point in 2019.