Windsor Park wins on way to better things

Windsor Park made a good transition to the hurdling ranks when winning a competitive two-and-a-half-mile maiden hurdle at Leopardstown.

The son of Galileo was last seen when winning a mile and six race at Galway in October and also has two bumper successes in his locker, including one at this track.

Front-running Mike McCann was swamped by a wall of horses in the home straight as Ruby Walsh and Royal Caviar moved strongly into the lead.

After the last hurdle Davy Russell got to work on Windsor Park who raced on Royal Caviar's outside. The 6/4 favourite ground down his rival and stayed on well for a two-and-a-half-length verdict.

Davy Russell said: "He's a good horse and stays well. He did everything well. I had plenty of horse. If he passes all the tests he could be at Cheltenham if he improves."

Trainer Dermot Weld said: "He did what you would expect. He's won his last four now."

"I was concerned it was a little bit soon. He had a little holdup as he didn't school as well as I'd like. He's never been to a schooling hurdle so I was a little concerned with his jumping and it will improve dramatically.

"My only concern was if he had enough experience jumping and it maybe came two weeks sooner than I would have liked but this is a lovely galloping track and the two-and-a-half suited.

"He's very talented so it's onwards and upwards. We'll find a nice winners race at the end of January or start of February.

"Considering it was his first run and considering he didn't have as good a prep as mine normally do for their first time over jumps it was very encouraging.

"He'll stay at two-and-a-half. He's a stayer with speed."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson