Court Canyon off the mark on first start over hurdles The Gavin Cromwell trained Court Canyon justified strong favouritism when making a winning debut over flights in the Kilmore Maiden Hurdle at Clonmel. A former point-to-point winner, the gelding had failed to reach the frame in two runs in bumpers earlier in the season. Faced with a set of hurdles here, the 4/6f stepped up on previous runs under Rules. Chasing leader Garnetot for much of the journey, the market leader came through under Keith Donoghue to take over at the penultimate flight. Keeping on well after the last, the son of Court Cave went on to score by one-and-a-quarter lengths. Keith Donoghue said: "He did it well and had the experience from his point to point. He disappointed us in two bumpers but had little excuses and we expected him to do that today. "It was a competitive race, we went a good gallop and I'd say the ground a bit slower than we thought it was, so it caught my horse a little after he hit the front. I'd say this is his trip but could even come back too as he is such a good jumper. I think he'll also be better over a fence in time." Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes.
