Wounded Warrior comes to claim Leavethelighton at the last© Photo Healy Racing
Wounded Warrior got off the mark at the first time of asking over timber with a cosy success at Navan.
The Gigginstown-owned gelding tracked the leaders under Bryan Cooper in the 2m7f maiden hurdle before taking closer order entering the straight.
Noel Meade 's charge wasn't great at the third last flight but soon recovered and travelled well to challenge Leavethelighton at the last.
He quickened up to lead on the run-in and had plenty in hand at the line as he recorded a cosy two-and-three-parts-of-a-length victory.
The point-to-point recruit had also landed a bumper over two miles at the track in December.
“It probably wasn't ideal to start him off over that far. I don't think he needs 2m7f but he definitely needs further than two miles (the distance of the other maiden hurdle on card),” said Meade.
“The only real mistake he made was when the race was quickening up but he jumped well otherwise.
“He's still a bit of a baby. He'll probably go for a novice now over two-and-a-half and we'll take it from there but he'll really be a chaser in time.”
Cooper also felt that the best was yet to come from the winner: “He's a big baby and a lovely big sort. He probably won't be a horse until next year but he did it fairly impressively.”
(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)
