Brown scores on first start for McManus

Hash Brown made a winning debut for owner JP McManus as he took the Ballygarry House Hotel Novice Hurdle for under Barry Geraghty for Michael Hourigan.

The five-year-old son of Vinnie Roe won his maiden hurdle on his second attempt at Ballinrobe last month and he finished half a length second to Klepht on his next start at Killarney.

Sent off at 2/1 today he was settled in third under a keen hold and came with his challenge between horses approaching the second last.

He was ridden to the front after the last and he kept on well from there to score by a length and three parts. Well Tuned (18/1), who attempted to make all, had to settle for second under Danny Benson for John Nicholson while the 7/4 favourite Desertmore Stream was a length back in third. Shield (7/2) was still in with every chance on the outer when he crashed out at the last under Tony McCoy for Aidan O’Brien.

Michael Hourigan said afterwards: "He is not the easiest horse to ride. He tends to take a good hold and Barry got him switched off as well as he could.

"He will be much better in a better race and he will jump better as well. He will make a nice chaser in time.

"He was only sold this morning and I have another half-brother of his coming into training with me."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee