Macnicholson gains deserved success

Macnicholson runner-up on his last three starts, made no mistake this time as he got off the mark in the two-mile maiden hurdle at Kilbeggan.

Jessica Harrington's charge was a warm order to make the break-through, sent off the 8/13 favourite having been as big as 13/8 this morning.

Barry Geraghty sent his mount to the front before the second last and the result never looked in doubt from there as he galloped on for a four-and-a-half length success.

Phil's Magic came through to claim front-runner Portrade at the last but never looked like pegging back the winner.

Macnicholson had been beaten favourite at Navan last month when second to Cracking Chap and had been narrowly defeated on his previous two outings at Thurles.

“He struggled at Navan on the very soft ground. Better ground is what he needed and he was much sharper on the better ground,” said Geraghty afterwards.

(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)