Easy for Olinger as he opens hurdling account The Henry de Bromhead-trained Bob Olinger justified his very short price in the Mervyn Gray Construction Maiden Hurdle at Navan with an effortless success. Rachael Blackmore made all the running on the 1/8 shot and he never had a moments worry in the two-and-a-half mile contest. The Sholokhov gelding had his rivals at work after the third last and popped the final two flights to record an easy 14-length success over Dunboyne. Bob Olinger was making his second outing over timber having chased home Cheltenham bumper winner Ferny Hollow on his hurdling debut at Gowran last month. “I'm delighted with that. Obviously it's nerve racking when there is that kind of expectation,” said de Bromhead. “He jumped well. Rachael said ideally she would have loved a lead or a bit of company but it's job done. “I've entered him in Naas in the two-and-a-half mile race (Grade 1 Lawlor's Of Naas Novice Hurdle). We'll see how he is, there are a few options. “He has a lot of pace and could drop back to two at Leopardstown in February or there is also the two-six there. I'd say he is very adaptable. “It's nice to get that done. We need to learn and he needs to learn. “I think he's pretty adaptable ground-wise as well. He's done all his running on soft ground up till now so I can't say for sure but on all-weathers he seems very happy on it. “I don't think he'd want it quick but on festival ground hopefully he'd be fine.”
