Early Door (Mark Walsh) just leads from Niven (Sean Flanagan)© Photo Healy Racing
J P McManus' odds-on favourite Early Doors justified his market-position in the opening Nick O'Donnell Memorial Maiden Hurdle at Wexford.
The Joseph O'Brien-trained and Mark Walsh-ridden Early Doors was looking good from three out but he was pressed by Niven from before the next.
A bit sticky with his jumping at times, the smart bumper performer and hurdling debutante was convincing at the finish, by a length and a half from Niven.
McManus had four runners in the two miler and his Spades Are Trumps ran very well on his racecourse bow to fill the third spot. Commandant and Jack Kennedy took a nasty spill when chasing the leaders two out. Thankfully they seemed to be relatively okay afterwards.
"He had the best bumper form in the race and you'd be disappointed if he couldn't do it like that," said Walsh.
"His jumping could improve but you wouldn't mind that on his first run over hurdles. He seems a nice horse.
"With that under his belt now you'd be hoping he'll progress. I was always happy enough on him.
"I just took it up sooner than I wanted because I just didn't think they went that quick. I saw from his bumpers that all he does is gallop and he had the class to just outstay them."
(DM & EM)
