Moyross gets off the mark on hurdles debut

Moyross made it two from two for favourite backers at Galway, as he took the galwayraces.com Maiden Hurdle under Sean Flanagan.

The six-year-old son of Kayf Tara won a point-to-point on debut for Enda Bolger at Loughrea last October.

He was then third on his first start for Noel Meade at Leopardstown over Christmas, finishing fourth on his next two starts at Fairyhouse and Punchestown respectively.

Making his debut over flights today he was sent off the 5/4 favourite (from 6/4) in the colours of owner Patricia Hunt.

Having raced in third, he improved into second after two out and was soon squeezed for room on the inner. He came with his challenge on the outer at the next, and was ridden to lead on the run-in, staying on best to score by two and a quarter lengths.

Second favourite Suncroft (13/8) filled the runner-up under Denis O'Regan for Alan Fleming, while Riverrainshine (12/1) was sixteen lengths back in third for Keith Donoghue and Stephen Mahon.

Meade said afterwards: "I was disappointed with him the three times I ran him bumpers but I suppose he is not really a bumper horse.

"I've liked him from the time we got him at the beginning and I decided to give the bumpers a miss and start jumping.

"It's not set in stone that he will stay over hurdles for that long either. He is a long striding, big horse.

"He got stopped going up the inside and it took him a while to get going again, but he did get going very well in the end. It probably wasn't the strongest race in the world.

"I'd say you will the see the best of him when he is going three miles and jumping fences."