The Ellmarie Holden trained Ex Patriot made a winning hurdle debut at Fairyhouse today, landing the GreatValue Fairyhouse Membership Maiden Hurdle under jockey Rachel Blackmore.

The son of Elusive Pimpernel had been placed five times, without winning, in seven previous flat and today seemed to have found his true vocation when recording a length win over Mengil Khan.

Rookie trainer Holden was recording her ninth win in her first season and later stated “I’m absolutely thrilled with that. It’s his first run for me, and he’s been a pure machine at home over hurdles. He got in a bit close to a couple today but he’ll learn from that and Rachael gave him a great ride.

“He schooled at Thurles last week, and we didn’t do too much with him as we knew we were coming here. We’ll see how he is in the next few days but he could go for the Grade 1 (Spring Hurdle) at Leopardstown on February 12.”

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Alan Magee