Palace Rock got his jumping career off to the best possible start when justifying strong support in the opening Kells Maiden Hurdle at Navan.

The Francis Casey-trained gelding won a maiden on the all-weather at Dundalk last month and was well-supported here from prices as big as 7/1 early this morning before going off an 11/4 chance.

Denis O’Regan’s mount was never too far from the pace striking the front after two out and, having briefly given supporters an anxious moment with a mistake at the last, asserted in good style close home to score by three and a half lengths. Boothen Boy made a very encouraging debut only giving best in the final 100 yards in second, with Nazine was a further three and a quarter lengths back in third.

Casey said, "He's a grand horse and Denis thinks a lot of him. He needs to brush up on his jumping but he'll learn from racing.

“He's a very big horse and the further he goes the better he'll be. He's 17 hands and every day I weigh him he's heavier. He's just maturing.

“He's a horse that will hopefully go places. He'll probably go to Fairyhouse next for a Graded race that his mother won years ago.”

(GC & AM)