Perceval Legallois © Photo Healy Racing
The 4/6 favourite Perceval Legallois had no problem landing the odds in the three-mile maiden hurdle.
The Gavin Cromwell-trained winner, who had unseated rider three out over course and distance last month when just about to take the lead, made no mistake this time. Having tracked the leaders, Mark Walsh let the son of Ballingarry stride on going down the back straight for the final time and he came clear after two out to beat Westcoastinformant and The Grey Monty by eleven lengths and eight lengths.
A bumper winner at Gowran last year, the five-year-old was getting of the mark at the eighth time of asking over hurdles.
"It was very straightforward," said Walsh.
"It was a weak race, he was the best horse in the race and we just kept it simple. I got a lead for as long as I could and I kept him on the best of the ground. You'd expect him to win a race like that with a rating of 119.
"He won his bumper on heavy and the rain has really got into it, it's proper soft ground. We didn't go much of a gallop and I would have been disappointed if he didn't win.
"Hopefully he will head into handicaps now and we will see how he gets on."
Quotes from Donal Murphy
