The market told a story for the opening Northern Ireland Maiden Hurdle at Downpatrick with Sizing Jo'burg (9/2 this morning into 9/4) running out the winner from easy-to-back favourite Sarabad (around 5/4 this morning out to 2/1).

Sarabad tried to make all under Paul Townend. However he was headed at the last by the Andrew Lynch-ridden, Henry de Bromhead-trained Sizing Jo'burg and the successful Old Vic gelding went on to score by nine and a half lengths. Sultana Belle got rid of Eddie O'Connell at the last leaving Anthem Royale (7/1 this morning into 7/2) to take the third spot, twenty eight lengths adrift of the principals.

Lynch explained: "It wasn't a bad run at Cheltenham last time (8th there in a bumper). He'd probably want a bit of nicer ground. It's dead ground out there. He's only a handy horse and he jumps hurdles like they're fences.

"He galloped all the way to the line." (MG & EM)