Winning start over hurdles for Desertmore House

Desertmore House (8/1, from 12s before the off) made a winning debut over flights in the Ulster Carpets Maiden Hurdle.

The Court Cave gelding, who won a point-to-point at Kildorrery for Denis Leahy, tracked the leaders and moved up to tackle the front-running Wee Willie Nail on the run to the final flight.

A little bit out to his left at that obstacle, the seven-year-old was soon in front and stayed on strongly to score by thirteen lengths. Wee Willie Nail just held onto second place by half a length from Who’s Houdini.

The Martin Brassil-trained winner had been partnered by owner John Reddington in bumpers, finishing third at Fairyhouse in February.

Winning rider Ricky Doyle said: "He won his point-to-point and is a horse with a lot of experience from his bumper runs.

"I jumped off and travelled and he is a very laid-back horse so you have to keep codding him along. After jumping the second-last, I started to wind him up and I was quickening before Sam's (Ewing on Wee Willie Nail) horse so I had to keep rolling with him but he did it well.

"He was jumping left but leaning right so hopefully there will be a bit of improvement when everything straightens up.

"He's a three-mile chaser, he's a good-sized horse and he will be a lot of fun for John (Reddington, owner)."

Quotes from Michael Graham