Wizard makes winning debut over hurdles The WTW Willis 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle at Cork was run at a steady pace which suited Wizard Of Odds (6/1) who made a winning debut over flights in the hands of Philip Byrnes. A useful seven-furlong performer on the level and runner-up in the Madrid Handicap in the spring, the Arizona gelding moved into contention turning for home and led at the second-last before keeping on well to beat Kibris by two and a half. Formerly with Charles O'Brien, and more recently Stephen Thorne, the winner was having his first start for owner/trainer Bill Durkan. Assistant trainer Gary Bannon said: "The worry was the distance but at the same time he was working very impressively at home.  "I had Stephen Thorne's head fried trying to buy this horse and after he ran poor in Galway, I approached him again and bought him privately.  "One day I was putting a saddle on him for Stephen so stood in to him, and thought he was a fine specimen of a horse and thought he needed further than what he was running over. He looks a really smart horse. "He will go straight to the Graded Bar One Hurdle at Fairyhouse in early December next and we think he wants heavy ground. He also looks well handicapped on the Flat for next year." Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
