Ten out of Ten for Zero on hurdles debut

Zero Ten put in an impressive performance on his debut over flights, as he easily dismissed the challenge of Thrones Game in the opener at Galway, the Galway 2020 Maiden Hurdle.

Successful in a bumper over the course and distance on his last start, the Emmet Mullins trained bay was sent off a well-backed 11/4 chance today, after opening on-course at 9/2.

Settled in second by David Mullins, the son of Shantou closed on the front running Suinda before the second last.

He got to the front shortly after that flight, and stretched clear on the run-in, going on to score by fifteen lengths in the colours of owner Annette Mee.

French import Thrones Game was sent off the 4/5 favourite, and she had nothing left to offer from the last, eventually coming home a well-beaten second under Paul Townend for Willie Mullins.

The aforementioned Suinda, also trained by Willie Mullins was another six and a half lengths back in third at 10/1.

The winning rider said afterwards: "He was very free when he won at the festival but we went a good gallop today and he settled very well.

"I think he'll be a better horse in a better race and it rode a good race today. Willie's (Mullins' Thrones Game) isn't too bad and was well fancied. To brush her aside first time over hurdles, I'd be very impressed.

"That is his first run over hurdles and he made one or two little mistakes. Two and a half miles mightn't be a problem either."

STEWARDS REPORTS

D.N. Russell, rider of Steel Cap trained by Gordon Elliott, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount ran green.

Under the provisions of Rule 90 (iii), the Stewards allowed Flattothemat (GB), trained by S.J.Mahon, to run on receipt of the trainer's written assurance that the horse was correctly vaccinated in accordance with Rule 91.

Under the provisions of Rule 90 (iii), the Stewards allowed Annie Irish trained by R.Donohoe, to run on receipt of the trainer's written assurance that the horse was correctly vaccinated in accordance with Rule 91.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes