Minella Machine impresses with hurdling debut success A former point-to-point and bumper scorer, the Henry De Bromhead trained Minella Machine made an impressive debut over flights when easily landing the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden Hurdle. Sent off 4/9f under jockey Darragh O'Keeffe, the Robcour five-year-old led after jumping the first flight and made the rest. While his task was simplified when main market rival Adaboy Mushy fell four out, the son of Blue Bresil couldn't have done it any easier. Asserting from two out, Minella Machine forged clear to beat Gold Star Status by 22-lengths. “He did it really nicely. He’s a horse we like at home and you’re always hoping that they’ll go and do something like that,” said de Bromhead. “Obviously when Declan’s horse fell it made it a bit easier. It was a lovely start for him. “I think there is a novice hurdle in Navan in mid-December, off the top of my head, but I haven’t discussed it with anyone so I don’t know yet. “That would seem like a good stepping stone. I think Slade Steel did something similar to that.” When asked if the Grade 1 here in January could be a target he added:- “Possibly, we’ll take it one step at a time. He’s a nice horse and we’re delighted for Robcour. “He’s a fine big horse, he jumped well bar the last. He’d be higher up the pecking order in the yard.” Paddy Powers went 20/1 from 33/1 Minella Machine for Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle and 25/1 from 33/1 Turners Novices' Hurdle.
