Huff'n'puff blows field apart on hurdling debut Huff'n'puff won the opening BAR 1 Casino 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle over 2 miles at Navan. Officially rated 84 on the flat, the Bated Breath gelding won a Roscommon maiden on the flat and ran creditably when fourth in the Ulster Derby. The 3/1 shot aided his own chances at the first, as his novicey jump wiped out two of his rivals. Henry De Bromhead's charge travelled strongly in third, and although his jumping wasn't foot-perfect, he quickened up to lead before the last and asserted up the run-in under Jordan Gainford with Glen Echo (33/1) staying on well for second, beaten two and a half lengths. Sunrush (6/1), who led after the second last, finished a further two and a quarter lengths back in third. Henry de Bromhead said: "Delighted with that and delighted for Denis (Howard, owner) and all his partners in the horse. "We hoped he might take to hurdling like that and he did. I thought Jordan gave him a brilliant ride - he really nursed him around; he was a bit green into the first and second. "I thought he stayed at it well. He stayed that (trip) well which is good. "I'd say Christmas would be high on the agenda. There's a good three-year-old hurdle at Leopardstown." Additional reporting by Michael Graham.
