Ben Siegel professional on hurdling debut

Ben Siegel ran away from a full field of three-year-old hurdlers to get his jumping career off to a winning start.

The Tamayuz gelding won on the Flat in Ballinrobe and Down Royal before changing codes.

He was never far from the pace under Bryan Cooper and closed on Doctor Brown Bear after the third last.

He was just behind the leader at the next where third-running Rebel Step fell and slightly hampered the pursuers.

Ben Siegel then improved on the inside of Doctor Brown Bear rounding the home turn as the pair poached a healthy lead on the rest.

Cooper's mount stretched away on the run to the final flight and ran on to win by four and a half lengths at 4/1 from 13/2. Another double winner on the Flat, Prairie Dancer clipped the last but finished well for second at 9/1. He was two and a half lengths clear of Doctor Brown Bear (14/1).

Noel Meade said: “That was great. The fellas that own him have been lucky with the few they had with us, him and Jeff Kidder and Too Bright. Hopefully they stay lucky.

“He's a nice horse, he probably wants goodish ground. From the time we started schooling him all he wanted to do was jump so that's a big help and he stays well.

“I'd say you won't see him again until Christmas, that'll be the plan.

“The other lad (Lunar Power who was runner-up in a Grade 3 novice hurdle at Navan on Sunday) will run on Saturday (in a rated novice hurdle at Fairyhouse) and we'll see how that goes. The two of them are similar as they stay well and need goodish ground.”

Paddy Power gave Ben Siegel a first show of 33/1 for the Triumph Hurdle.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson