Zariygann and Jack Kennedy © Photo Healy Racing
The Michael Halford and Tracey Collins trained Zariygann made it two-from-two over flights when easily winning the Seamus Mulvaney Bookmaker Novice Hurdle at Listowel.
A winner on his jumping debut at Roscommon in August, the four-year-old had failed to justify favouritism when reverting to the Flat at that same venue earlier this month.
Back over hurdles this afternoon, the Jack Kennedy ridden gelding chased leader Gaucher (5/6f) for much of the contest, before moving up to dispute entering the home straight.
Edging to the front at the second last flight, Zariygann took control as Gaucher made a mistake at that obstacle.
Stretching clear on the run to the last, the 6/1 chance won easily by six-and-a-half lengths.
Michael Halford said: “He did it well and you'd have to be really happy with him.
“My own lad Tommy rides him schooling at home and he was jumping better, he seemed to have come forward from Roscommon.
“Jack said he settled lovely today, met all the hurdles well and jumped away and galloped away through that soft ground nicely.
“We'll keep going and see where we end up. You like to see them step forward and he's done that.
“He's got the pedigree, size and scope and he carries the weight and jumps well. We'll keep taking baby steps and see where it brings us.
“Jack liked him and he's ridden enough good ones to know. He said he got into a lovely rhythm today and when the other horse dropped away he wasn't doing a whole lot.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson.
