Majborough

Majborough ran a big race on his first run in Ireland to finish third in the Spring Juvenile Hurdle. This was his first run for Willie Mullins and JP McManus, and it was his first run since last April, but Mark Walsh had no problem allowing him stride on in front. He jumped well for a debutant and, even after he was passed on the run to the final flight, he kept on well over the last and up the run-in to retain third place.

It was a big run by the Martinborough gelding and, given that it was his first run for Willie Mullins and just the second run of his life, there is every chance that he can step forward from this quite considerably. It may be that he is a staying chaser in-waiting, but he could be a Triumph Hurdle horse in the interim, and we know that beaten horses in the Spring Hurdle – Countrywide Flame, Tiger Roll, Ivanovich Gorbatov, Farclas, Lossiemouth – as well as winners, have a really good record in the Triumph.

Leopardstown, 3^rd February 2024