Charlie makes perfect start over timber

Lowtown Charlie made a perfect start over hurdles when running out a convincing winner of the Diageo Maiden Hurdle at Wexford.

John McConnell 's charge went off the 6/4 favourite for the three-miler this afternoon having landed a bumper in fine style on his first outing for the yard at Listowel last month.

The Ask gelding sat behind front-runner Monition before sweeping to the front turning for home.

Donie McInerney kept his mount up to his work over the last two flights as he went on to post an eight-and-a-half length winning margin.

McInerney said:- “He’s not overly quick but he stays galloping. The one in front went off plenty quick enough and I was happy enough where I was.

“I knew coming down the hill he was cooked in front so it was just a matter of sit and give him a chance.

“I didn’t really want to be in front as soon as I was but once he got there he pricked his ears and went home well. He’s still a bit babyish but he’ll come on a tonne from that.

“He’s a fine big horse and I’d say he’s a chaser in the making.”

Connell later said at Bellewstown:- "I'm delighted with him because he is running on ground that isn't really his ground.

"He doesn't want bottomless ground but he wants ease in the ground.

"To win a bumper and a maiden hurdle bodes well as ultimately he is a chaser. He is a nice horse.

"He won't chase this year. We'll probably pick up another novice hurdle and then pitch him into something then but he won't be over-raced anyway."

(Quotes by Alan Magee and Michael Graham)