Fusain and Dylan Robinson jump the last© Photo Healy Racing
The Pat Doyle Memorial Maiden Hurdle (Div I) looked at the mercy of the 126-rated Fusain (2/9 fav) and Henry de Bromhead’s 5-year-old duly obliged in the hands of Dylan Robinson.
Placed on his only start in France, he had some creditable form last season including a second place finish at Navan and a fifth to the useful Cedarwood Road at Leopardstown’s Chrismas meeting.
Here, he took a lead from 66/1 chance Kitty Galore before heading that one on the long run between the final two flights, and he eased clear to score by a dozen lengths, with Kitty Galore holding on to second by a neck from hurdling debutant Ally Cay (6/1).
The wining rider said: "You couldn't ask for any more. He was as straight as you'd want, jumped like a buck and travelled all the way to the line.
“He was much the better horse. He'll improve from that and we'll see where he goes from here now.
“During the winter he was running against some good horses in good maidens and today was a bit of a step down.
“I felt we were going plenty quick enough and I was just creeping away and getting closer. As soon as I got upsides the other horse he found another gear and went on again. I was very happy with him.
“He had a good blow coming in so there is plenty more improvement in him.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
