Edwulf opens account on hurdle debut

Edwulf gained compensation for an unlucky reverse at Navan last month when successfully switching to hurdles in the INH Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle at Naas.

The lightly-raced seven-year-old was set to score over fences last time when falling at the last, and Aidan O’Brien’s charge made most of the running here under Barry Geraghty.

The 13/8 chance was a bit weaker on track than chief market rival Haymount who was sent off the 5/4 favourite, and the pair fought out the finish in this 2m3f event.

Edwulf was far from fluent throughout, especially at the final two flights, but kept on well on the run-in to beat the favourite by a length and a half. Thumb Stone Blues was a further three lengths back in third.

Joseph O'Brien said, “He's a nice big horse and chasing is going to be his game. It's nice to win a maiden hurdle with him. At the last couple of hurdles he was a bit awkward but Barry said he was always happy.

“He'll probably go chasing again next year. He looks like he'll be a nice horse in time.”

(GC & AM)