Michael Graham
O'Brien doubles up with 25/1 chance Inca Gold
Inca Gold leads them in
© Photo Healy Racing
Inca Gold led home a one-two for Joseph O'Brien in the novice hurdle at Gowran Park and gave the trainer a double on the card.
The Galileo gelding was making his debut over flights after a career on the Flat for Aidan O'Brien that yielded one runner-up spot from three appearances.
He may have a been a 25/1 outsider but he was always to the fore in this two mile contest with JJ Slevin in the plate. He jumped the last particularly well and landed full of running.
Stablemate Entoucas (9/2) stayed on in second but Inca Gold showed a willing attitude to beat him by a length. Satoshi was another length and three parts away in third at 9/1.
Joseph O’Brien said: “He’d a few runs on the Flat but it was his first run over hurdles. He’s always jumped well and he’s bowled along there and they haven’t come and got him.
"JJ gave him a great ride and he’s a hardy horse.
“The second horse (Entoucas) is a little bit keen and fresh but I’d say he has a big engine and we’re really looking forward to him in the future.”
JJ Slevin added: "He's a good, hardy horse over hurdles and he was good and brave and good and honest.
"His Flat form was actually fairly strong. He's good and straightforward and an uncomplicated horse. They weren't going a lot of pace so we were more than happy to go.
"He had been off the track a good while but Joseph had plenty of work into him at home and he was good and fit coming here but I'm sure he will come on from it."
O'Brien took the preceding race on the card with Ballyneety
Additional reporting by Alan Magee