Rumi wins on hurdling debut for Blackmore and O'Grady

Rumi proved too strong for more experienced opposition when making a winning hurdling debut in the John Lynch Memorial Maiden Hurdle at Listowel.

A winner on the all weather for Roger Charlton last year, the four-year-old was having his first start in this country.

Drying ground conditions certainly suited the son of Harzand, as he jumped for fun and had his rivals in trouble a long way out.

Rachael Blackmore held a commanding lead entering the straight and despite the best efforts of joint favourite Rock On Pedro the Edward O'Grady-trained gelding wasn't for catching.

He eventually ran out an 8 length winner.

Edward O'Grady said; "He is my Sprinter Sacre - I am so looking forward to him jumping a fence because he will go through a brick wall.

"I'm delighted as she (Blackmore) said he rode very raw and while he ran on the flat, he is 17 hands and she said he rode like a point to pointer. She said he wasn't as sharp as your normal four year old that had run on the flat."

"She gave him a beautiful ride, was able to see a stride on him and she said he would be better in a better run race, where you could sit him in. He could go up to 2m4f as it would suit, but might run in a two-miles flat handicap at Thurles next month as he has a pretty low rating."

He added "I think he will be there or thereabouts for the novice season and I don't think soft ground is an issue, at the the moment anyway. We'll find out but certainly come the spring, when we need him, he will be alright."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes