JJ Slevin partnered his first Grade 1 winner as Tower Bridge stunned punters in the opening race of the Dublin Racing Festival when recording a 25/1 shock in the Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle. Fabulous Saga adopted his usual front-running role and had the field stretched going down the back straight for the final time.

However the well-backed 7/4 favourite was reeled in after the penultimate flight, and a line of horses were in contention at the last.

The Joseph O'Brien-trained Tower Bridge challenged on the outer, and just got up in the final strides to pip Jetz by a head, with Carter McKay two and a half lengths back in third.

Upset! Tower Bridge lands the first race at the inaugural #DublinRacingFestival for @JosephOBrien2 - the Grade 1 Nathaniel Lacy and Partners Novice Hurdle: pic.twitter.com/wrO5fPgbmJ

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) February 3, 2018

A delighted Slevin said, "It was my first ride in a Grade 1. It's unreal and I'm delighted just to be given the chance. Joseph has been a big support and my agent Ken Whelan has been doing an unbelievable job.

"He was still a maiden and it was a big call from Joseph to run him. He had won a few bumpers but it was still a massive call by Joseph and he had faith in the horse. He knows what he is dealing with and he's not afraid to have a go."

Joseph O'Brien, who enjoyed many Group 1 wins in the saddle on the Flat and also sent out Intricately to land the Moyglare Stud Stakes, was saddling his first Grade 1 winner over jumps.

He said, "He was a good bumper horse but never jumped a hurdle in Down Royal and then jumped better the last day here. I think he only missed the first today.

“To be honest we were hoping to just get some prize-money today and go back and win our maiden in a couple of weeks. It’s nice that he’s done that today, and he should be better on better ground.

“He picked up from the second last and galloped all the way to line. I’m delighted for JJ who does a great job for us and gave him a great ride.”

Slevin (25) is a cousin of the winning trainer, and his mother Elizabeth is Champion Flat Trainer Aidan O'Brien's sister.

(TW & AM)