I Am Sailing clears the last under Mark Walsh© Photo Healy Racing
The Mags Mullins trained I Am Sailing justified strong market support to take the opener at Navan, the Toals.com Bookmakers Download The App Maiden Hurdle.
Successful in a point-to-point at Lingstown last November, the son of Flemensfirth ran well to finish third on his debut over flights at Naas last month.
Having opened on-course at 5/2 this afternoon, he eventually went off the 11/8 favourite with Mark Walsh in the saddle for his boss JP McManus.
Prominent throughout, the bay victor pecked badly and almost unseated two out. However, he recovered well from that mishap and soon went to the front, keeping on well under pressure on the run-in to see off Savannah Storm (5/2) by seven and a half lengths.
The runner-up attempted to challenge after the last, but couldn't match the winner, and had to settle for second under Davy Russell for Gordon Elliott.
School Boy Hours (14/1) really caught the eye in third, staying on strongly to finish another two and a half lengths back. Barry Geraghty was aboard this newcomer for Noel Meade.
Mags Mullins said afterwards: "He's a lovely big horse but is still a baby and very green. He's a big chasing horse and will be a lovely horse next year. Mark gave him a lovely ride, and we'll see what JP and Frank want to do."
STEWARDS REPORTS
B.J. Geraghty, rider of School Boy Hours trained by Noel Meade, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount ran very green throughout.
C.D. Maxwell, rider of Ashbourne Allstar trained by Patrick Rooney, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount hung right throughout.
Miss Elizabeth Doyle, trainer of Deise Treasure reported to the Clerk of Scales that her charge burst.
A.E. Lynch, rider of Dynamic Allen (FR), trained by B. R. Hamilton, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount did not travel down the back, stayed on in the straight and made a noise.
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Deise Treasure, trained by Miss Elizabeth Doyle, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be have blood at the nose following exercised induced pulmonary haemorrhage.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
