Impressive Hurdle Debutante Kicks Off Double For Getaway

Bumper winner Argonauta (5g Getaway - Oscar Ladensa, by Oscar) made a smart start to his hurdling career when running out a clear winner of Tuesday’s two mile Novices’ Hurdle at Huntingdon.

Sent off second favourite under Stan Sheppard, the Tom Lacey-trained bay was ridden to make headway approaching the second last and led approaching the final flight. Running on strongly on the run-in, he scored by seven and a half lengths, with a distance back to the third.

Owned by Jerry Hinds and Ashley Head, the €60,000 store purchase was bred by Caroline O’Driscoll out of a full-sister to God’s Own (Oscar).

Later that afternoon at Galway, the Gordon Elliott-trained newcomer Smooth Player (4g Getaway - Coolnacarriga, by Saddlers’ Hall) justified favouritism in the bumper.

Chasing the leader under Lisa O’Neill, he was ridden to assert the advantage from two furlongs out and kept on well to prevail by a length and a half on the line.

Owned by Caldwell Construction and bred by John O’Brien, Smooth Player sold for €45,000 as a foal.