Ben off to fine start over hurdles Whithworth Ben got his jumping career off to a successful start when taking the John Earley Estate Agents Property Partners Maiden Hurdle at Roscommon yesterday.Ruby Walsh`s mount, one of the leading bumper horses last season, went off an easy to back 2 to 1 favourite but belied any lack of confidence by striking the front approaching the final flight to beat Jurado Express by three and a half lengths. 'He was well short of being fully wound up today. He`s definitely better going right-handed and there is a race for him at Down Royal later this month,' said trainer Pat Morris.Robert Power took over from the injured Keith Hadnett aboard Best Wait in the Roscommon Oil Distributors Handicap Hurdle and the top-weight rewarded punters by getting up close home to beat Fair And Lively by three-quarters of a length. Aljay benefited from a typically confident ride by Davy Condon to land the Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Handicap.
