Bibe Mus makes winning start to hurdling career The Ross O'Sullivan trained Bibe Mus registered a first win in this country when staying on best under J J Slevin to land the opening William Hill Each Way Extra Challenge Series 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle at Gowran Park. Successful on the Flat in his native France, the son of Camelot had shown promise on his initial start for O'Sullivan when fifth at the Galway Festival. Having disappointed next time at Killarney, connections wasted little time in switching his attention to juvenile hurdling. Always front rank under Slevin, the 11/4 chance came through to dispute alongside race favourite Combs after the fourth last. As the latter gave way after the penultimate flight, Crooked Path came through to lead. Ridden on the inside after jumping the last, Bibe Mus led 100 yards out, staying on to win by half-a-length. The whole complexion of this race changed dramatically at the second hurdle, as 7/4 chance Whats New ran out when in front. Ross O'Sullivan said: "He is a nice horse who ran well for us the first day in Galway but we were a little disappointed with him the second day at Killarney. He had done a good bit of schooling with JJ (Slevin) in the last few weeks, which he liked , and JJ was very sweet on him, as he also jumped a lot of hurdles on Tuesday. "We had a bit of luck with Whats New running-out but Gordon's horse (Elliott, Combs) had a run under his belt. Our horse handles the ground, enjoys jumping and hopefully can keep going forward. It makes sense to go for the winners' race in Down Royal in three weeks next. "It is great to get a winner for Simon and Isaac and it is my first horse for them. I got a random phone call from Simon last autumn, which I couldn't believe, to say that something might be coming along. He came to see my place and then the horses arrived. "I also have a younger horse for them and it is lovely to get a nice horse, which you appreciate. It is lovely to get these colours in the yard and getting the quality of horse is what you need." Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes.
