Crosshue Boy takes well to hurdles

Crosshue Boy readily took the honours for Davy Russell and Sean Doyle in Punchestown's three mile maiden hurdle.

This was his first attempt at hurdling and Davy Russell brought him to the fore after the second last as the pair hunted down High Nellie

They moved past her and went on coming to the last. However, Crosshue Boy didn't meet that obstacle on a stride but was shaken up on the run-in to win comprehensively by five-and-a-half lengths at 15/8.

High Nellie was backed down from 8/1 to 5/1 at the track but had to settle for second. She had 12 lengths in hand on third-placed Miss Mary D (40/1). Incitatum the well backed 15/8 favourite stumbled after the road and unseated Sean Flanagan before the sixth flight.

Davy Russell said: "I suppose he had a good look at the last. I suppose I had the race covered at that stage, I didn't mind him going in and having a pop. He did it well, he travelled very well and jumped great and picked up well at the back of the last. I knew he would.

"I'd say it wasn't a bad race in Roscommon [finished third on Monday] and Sean said they might have got the tactics wrong, they might have made too much use out of him the last day and just to grab a hold of him today. He settled well and jumped great."

Sean Doyle added: "He's a lovely big horse. He's after running well in two bumpers and I pulled him out again a bit quick but he was in great form after Roscommon.

“Declan Queally told use to go straight for a maiden hurdle and that he wouldn't be long winning one. I didn't think it would be this quick but I'm happy to take it.

“That's my first winner on the track since Theatre Bird at Christmas.

"We've been kept busy in point-to-points the last couple of years. I have three or four nice horses for the summer and I'm looking forward to them.”

Crosshue Boy had run in three bumpers and three point-to-points, winning his first race between the flags at Tattersalls Farm in October 2014.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson