Perfect Start Under Rules For Son Of Getaway

Irish point-to-point winner Sporting John (4g Getaway - Wild Spell, by Oscar) made the perfect start for new connections when taking Tuesday’s Novices’ Hurdle at Exeter.

Bought by Kieran McManus for £160,000 after winning his sole start for Matthew Flynn O’Connor, the Stephanie Hanly-bred gelding is now trained by Philip Hobbs for JP McManus. Barry Geraghty rode him in mid-division for much of the two mile and one furlong contest, making headway with three left to jump and produced a strong challenge at the final flight. Leading close home, he won by a length and three quarters from the longtime leader Harry Senior (Oscar).

There should be plenty of improvement to come from the winner according to his trainer, who commented, “Barry has come back and said that Sporting John was still quite green through the race and is still learning. I suspect we will try and find a similar race under a penalty and take it from there.”