Gold Speed makes a winning start over hurdles

Last month’s Navan bumper winner Gold Speed (7/4 fav) made a winning hurdling debut in the Connolly’s Red Mills Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle as he made all to defeat Judex Lefou (6/1) by three and a half lengths.

The first two, along with eventual third Rippon Lodge (16/1), were clear of the rest throughout, and the winner, despite running freely in the early stages, found plenty up the hill for JJ Slevin to win eased-down at the finish.

The winning six-year-old, by Gold Well, had finished runner-up in two bumpers before making all under Derek O’Connor to beat 17 rivals at Navan on good ground, and had no problem with the softer surface at Ballybrit.

"JJ was saying to keep doing what we're doing with him and not to rush him, said winning trainer Adrian Murray.

"He said he will take even more time and he is a horse you could fry very quick as he is very highly strung.

"He said he had plenty left in the tank and when he gets out in front he will relax.

"He'll go for a small novice hurdle somewhere and if there is a Final (of the Series, at the Punchestown festival) we'll be there!

"After his bumper run behind Felix Desjy he had a capped hock, which should have been a minor thing, but it got bad and he had to have minor surgery. We had to call a halt and attack it and he was then in a cast for six weeks. It's great to have him and hopefully we can build on today."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes