Doctor Brown Bear and JJ Slevin pictured on their way to victory© Photo Healy Racing
In deteriorating conditions JJ Slevin kept it simple from the front aboard Doctor Brown Bear as he made the breakthrough in the Michael Griffin Auctioneers Maiden Hurdle.
Last seen in Grade 2 company at Cheltenham in January, the Martin Brassil-trained five-year-old was expected deliver this evening, going off the 4/6 favourite.
Sent straight to the front, the Estidhkaar gelding was pressed from three out but went on again from the next and despite a slight mistake at the last, he came home three-and-a-quarter lengths to the good.
Returned at 16/1, Lucky Storm filled the runner-up spot for treble seekers, Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy, while there was a further three lengths back to Tullybawn (14/1) in third.
Beaten in third at the time, Fermoyle (6/4) crashed out at the last.
"It was fairly straightforward. He missed the one at the top of the hill and the last but he probably wasn't concentrating. He done it well and was entitled to do that," Slevin said of the Sean & Bernardine Mulryan owned victor.
"We were a little bit worried about the ground but he got through it. He is a grand horse and deserved it.
"I think he will be a smashing chaser over that sort of trip next year."
