Quel Esprit off the mark on first hurdle outing

Quel Esprit got off the mark over hurdles on his first attempt in the I.N.H. Stallion Owners European Breeders Fund Maiden Hurdle. The grey led before the last and went on about his business under Paul Townend to account for Hugo De Vindecy by a length and three quarters.

The words of his former trainer, Andy Slattery: "I never rated him as a bumper horse. Anything he'll do in a bumper is a bonus because he can jump! He is a real soft ground jumper," came to mind after the former point-to-point winner and high-class bumper horse had landed the two and a half miler at odds of 4/9.

Current handler, Willie Mullins said: "He is a natural jumper. I'd imagine he'll be a two and a half miler for the rest of the season. He is in the Royal Bond but he won't go there unless it is really heavy. He'll more likely go for the Barry & Sandra Kelly Memorial at Navan."

Quel Esprit heads the betting on 14/1 with Rite Of Passage for the Ballymore Properties Hurdle with William Hill.