Emperor has talent and size to rule

Bold Emperor built on a promising debut effort when fifth at Gowran on February 18th, to land the Follow Limerick Racecourse On Twitter (C & G) Maiden Hurdle.

David Mullins did the steering on the sweet-travelling son of Galileo for John McConnell, and he asserted from before the last to easily justify 6/4 favouritism by five lengths.

Runner-up Aaron Lad finished off nicely without troubling the winner.

"It wasn't the greatest of maidens but he's very straightforward and loves jumping. He is very very big and should improve - he is one of the biggest Galileos you'd ever see," said winning trainer John McConnell.

"I'm delighted he got his head in front and he will improve on better ground - he's still weak I'd say. There are a few winners of one four-year-old hurdles during the summer which don't work out great races and I'll look for one next."

D.N. Russell, rider of Hughies Bay trained by Daniel John Howard, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount tired quickly and was pulled up thereafter .

(TW & EM)