Getaway Great on hurdling debut

Winning pointer The Great Getaway (5g Getaway-Par Mist, by Great Palm) made the perfect start to his jumping career on the track when winning a 15-runner hurdling event at Newcastle on Saturday.

A winner between the flags at Curraghmore for Donnchadh Doyle in April, the Getaway gelding has since joined Donald McCain, for whom he captured this extended 2m 4f novices’ hurdle under Brian Hughes (right).

The winning rider feels that the five-year-old, bred by Michael O’Connell, will really shine when he goes over fences.

“He'll probably be even better when he gets his ground. The Great Getaway's a big lad and his future probably lies in staying chases,” said Hughes.

Getaway is enjoying a great recent run and was also responsible for Malcolm Jefferson’s facile six-length bumper winner Return Ticket (4g Getaway-Capelvenere, by Barathea) earlier in the week.