Start finally comes good over hurdles Start Me Up benefitted from a step up to two and a half miles to open his jumping account in the INH Stallion Owners EBF Novice Hurdle. The Winged Foot gelding, a three-time bumper winner last year, was patiently-ridden by Davy Russell to challenge between horses at the last. The 11/4 chance met the final flight all wrong but was soon back in control, and kept on under pressure to beat 2/1 favourite Our Victoria by a length and a half. The Willie Mullins-trained Apt Manor dropped out tamely in the straight, and was pulled up before the last. Trainer Charlie Swan said, “He's been very frustrating but is probably better over this kind of distance. We may give him a little break, and aim for a 2m6f novice hurdle at the Limerick Christmas meeting.”
