Son Of Ocovango Strides Clear To Maiden Hurdle Success

Barnacullia (4g Ocovango - For Lena, by Turtle Island) proved a class above his rivals when running out a clear winner of Saturday’s maiden hurdle at Wexford.

Positioned in midfield by Jordan Gainford, Michael Mulvany’s charge made smooth headway from five out and improved into second at the third last flight. Ridden to lead approaching the last, he went clear on the run-in to beat the short-priced favourite by seven lengths.

“He's a big horse and only coming to himself now,” the winning trainer commented after the race. “All going well, we will go to Listowel for the Lartigue Hurdle.”

Owned by the Clearys Syndicate, Barnacullia is the first foal bred by Maurice O’Brien out of For Lena. The progressive four-year-old hails from the second crop of Beeches Stud sire Ocovango, whose first crop is headlined by dual black-type winner Langer Dan (Ocovango).