"Grown up" Upazo does the business

Upazo proved expensive to follow last term when turned over four times in maiden hurdles but the French-bred set the record straight in no uncertain terms on his reappearance at Fairyhouse.

A maximum field of 25 went to post for the Tote-sponsored 2m2f maiden hurdle, and Paul Townend sent the 11/4 chance to the front two out.

The half-brother to So Young asserted approaching the final flight, and was in total command on the run-in to score by an effortless six and a half lengths. Mister Nibbles came home well to just deny Elsie close home for the runner-up berth.

Winning trainer Willie Mullins said, “He seems to have grown up a bit since last year when he disappointed me. His work had shown that he’s improved. I think he has grown and maybe he was growing a bit last year. He’s physically bigger.

“We did a good bit of work with him just ten days ago and we thought he was a different horse than last year. He’s come and shown that on the racecourse. He’s big enough and will jump a fence some day but we’ll pursue a novice hurdle campaign for the time being.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson