Imagine up and running over flights

Imagine made a winning start to his hurdling career when fending off Spillane's Tower in the opening maiden hurdle at Wexford.

He went off 10/11 favourite after creating a good impression in his bumper success on debut at Punchestown in February.

He was always close to the pace that was set throughout by Ages Of Man On the run to the second last, both he and main market rival Innatendue swept past the hard-at-work leader.

Imagine led over that obstacle, however, Spillane's Tower soon became his main threat as he moved into a threatening second racing to the final flight.

The pursuer kept at it on the run-in but Imagine saw him off by a head. The runner-up ran a cracker at 16/1 and was 11 lengths clear of Innatendue (2/1).

Gordon Elliott said: "He is a grand horse and is a big galloper. Jack said he probably wants further.

"We are happy with his performance, but he would probably like the ground a bit better. He went through it, though, and got his head in front.

"It's good for Jack (Kennedy) as well on his first ride back (from suspension). We will have a look at what's coming up but we have no definite plan yet."

Ahead of the Grade One Ladbrokes Champion Steeplechase fixture at Down Royal on the weekend, he added: "We will have plenty of runners at Down Royal on Friday and Saturday. Conflated and Galvin will definitely run in the Grade One on Saturday."

Paddy Power kept Imagine unchanged at 33/1 for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle and 25/1 for the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle.

Additional reporting by Donal Murphy