Tory Reel strikes in early season juvenile hurdle

Jump racing in Ireland resumed after a two-week break with a three-year-old maiden hurdle at Tipperary which was won by the Paddy O'Hanlon-ridden Tory Reel (9/1).

Ridden in third entering the straight, the winner pricked his ears when challenging on the run to the last and edged ahead on the run-in to beat Mr Globalist by a length and a quarter with Chargo a further seven lengths back in third.

The first three home were all sired by Highland Reel.

Winning trainer Andrew McNamara said: "He ran a nice race on his first flat handicap run in Limerick and then we schooled him and he jumped very well. We said we'd give this a go before there were many horses schooled in the country.

"He didn't jump quite as well as I thought he would but he jumped well enough to be there with a chance going down to the last and stayed very well. He jumped well but just wasn't quick away from his hurdles.

"There isn't a winners' race for about two months so we'll go back to the flat in the interim. It is a good start for Highland Reel over hurdles as well as I'd imagine he'll end up being a jumps' sire."

He added "I don't know if this is right or not, but he is possibly the youngest horse ever to win a jumps race in Ireland as today's race (the first juvenile hurdle of the season) is six weeks earlier that it usually is."

Quotes from Tom Weekes