Open To Question (nearest) © Photo Healy Racing
The Noel Meade-trained Open To Question knuckled down gamely in the closing stages to make a winning start over jumps in the opening three-year-old maiden hurdle at Gowran Park.
Sean Flanagan tackled long-time leader Pigeon House going to the final flight in the two-miler and stayed on best on the run-in.
The Noble Mission gelding was nicely on top in the closing stages as he posted a two-and-three-quarter length success at odds of 14/1.
The winning rider said afterwards:- “He had first time blinkers and he had a good look early and jumped a little bit slow but when the race opened up a little bit towards the end, and I got a belt or two into him, he actually picked up and went away well.
“He'd only had the three runs and if you back to his run at Leopardstown, (when fifth) on his second run, he wasn't beaten all that far and a couple of horses in front of him have gone on to do better things.
“That form suggested he had a big chance and Noel was adamant that he'd enjoy the ground.
“He's not a horse that gives everything, you have to ask him for what you want. I don't mind that in a horse and he was going the right way at the line.”
