Smart effort from Delvino on hurdling bow Delvino (6s out to 9/1) impressed in the Happy Christmas From Naas Mares’ Maiden Hurdle as she made a winning start over flights. As in the opener, only four hurdles were jumped with a long run-in from what would normally be the the third-last. The 5/4 favourite Castra Vetera was always prominent but was joined by the strong-travelling winner early in the straight and, after Adam Short gave her the office just before the bypassed final flight, the daughter of Dylan Thomas went away in good style for a four length victory from the market leader in second. Former Irish Cesarewitch winner Royal Illusion (13/8) was back in third on her hurdling debut. The winner, a fine scopey sort, had been successful on her second start in bumpers at Down Royal in March. She was cut from 20/1 to 12/1 by Paddy Power for the mares' novices hurdle at Cheltenham. Winning trainer Dermot McLoughlin said: “She relished the conditions but wouldn’t have learned a lot today with only four hurdles. “It looked a really competitive race but she is a good mare in her own right. We had to start somewhere and we said we’d come here. “Physically she has filled out well over the summer and she looked a million dollars in the ring today. “Christmas will probably come too soon now so maybe in the New Year we will look for something. Two miles is fine for now but she would have no problem over two and a half.” Paddy Power and Betfair both cut Delvino from 20/1 into 12/1 for the Mares Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham. Additional reporting by Alan Magee
