Surfin Usa makes smooth start over hurdles Charlie O’Dwyer successfully teamed up with champion trainer Willie Mullins as Surfin Usa made a winning start over hurdles in the Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle at Downpatrick. The grey daughter of Jukebox Jury travelled well to lead at the final flight and soon asserted on the run-in. The 11/2 chance kept on well to beat Acheron, who defied odds of 250/1, with evens favourite Sound Judgement just a neck further back in third. O'Dwyer said, “She jumped very, very well and was maybe a touch keen early on, but she has been running in bumpers and it is her first run in a while, so a bit of gassiness too. "She put it to bed very well and I always felt I was in my comfort zone. I said I would bide my time for as long as I could. I said, 'just get over the last and we'll let her roll away then'. "It can (first hurdle be tricky on downhill run) - you pick up quite a bit of speed coming down that hill but, in fairness, it is on a bit of an uphill and it is plenty inviting. In theory, you'd think it would cause a bit more hassle than it actually does. It rides better than it looks. “The ground is the safe side of good, but it is proper good ground. It is gorgeous and they do a great job." Quotes by Michael Graham
