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Gary Carson

Gary Carson

Eagle off the mark over hurdles

Wed 18th Nov 2015, 13:06

Open Eagle and Ruby Walsh Open Eagle and Ruby Walsh
© Photo Healy Racing

Open Eagle got off the mark over hurdles at the second time of asking when claiming the opening two-mile maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse today.

Willie Mullins' charge had been turned over at a short price on his jumping debut at Punchestown back in February but made no mistake this time under a confident ride from Ruby Walsh.

The 5/4 favourite travelled well to challenge between the final two flights and found plenty when asked for an effort on the run-in to post a two-and-a-quarter length success over Double Island

Open Eagle sprung to prominence on the Flat in England when running out a wide margin winner of the November Handicap at Doncaster just over a year ago.

"It was a good performance in very testing conditions, and we'll look for a novice race for him now," said Mullins.

"He was in front long enough, and didn't do a lot in front. We changed tactics and he jumped better. I wouldn't say he's a bad jumper.

"We have only schooled him a few times but we held onto him too much on his first hurdle run."

(Quotes by Alan Magee)

About Gary Carson
Gary started out as a trainee/assistant journalist with the Sporting Life newspaper and has worked in the racing industry for over 25 years. He has been with the Press Association since 2013 and won the Irish Field Nap Table in 2016. He enjoys working with horses and trained his own horse, Mamaslittlestar, to win a point-to-point in 2019.