That'll Be The Day and Phillip Enright pictured on their way to victory© Photo Healy Racing
That'll Be The Day impressively dismissed his rivals the second divide of the Goresbridge Maiden Hurdle, providing Jimmy Mangan with his first success for powerful owner John Magnier.
Pulled up on his only previous start in a point-to-point at Ballindenisk in November, the son of Westerner was sent off at 16/1 this afternoon.
Settled behind the leaders by Phillip Enright, the bay victor was slightly short of room on the approach to the straight, but was soon switched to the outer.
He cruised through to lead on the run to two out and never came off the bridle, stretching clear on the run-in, coming home nine lengths to the good. Barney Stinson (4/5fav) finished second under Robbie Power for Mouse Morris, while Dawn Wonder (12/1) was another seven lengths back in third.
Mangan said afterwards: "We think a lot of him and he always works well at home. We were going to give him a few more point-to-points as he's a bit rusty. Phillip said he was still a bit green when he went to the front.
"We think he's going to make a very good long-distance horse. That's the first horse I've had for the owner."
STEWARDS REPORT
R.A. Doyle, rider of Mephisto trained by Gerard Keane, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount did not handle todays going.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
