'He’s a grand horse' - O'Neill delighted as Itso Fury scores on hurdling debut

Thursday: Warwick

Trainer Jonjo O’Neill said he expects to have "a lot of fun" with Itso Fury after his victory in the 2m5f maiden hurdle.

The five-year-old travelled smoothly behind the leaders, and despite hitting the last he skipped 14 lengths clear of Harry D’Alene under the trainer’s son Jonjo jnr.

After being sent off at odds of 13-8, 10-11 and now 2-5 in his last three races, it was an overdue first victory for Itso Fury.

"We’re delighted to get off the mark," said O’Neill. "It was a handy enough race, even if he was still a bit novicey, but he’s a grand horse and he’ll be a lot of fun."

The Cheltenham-based trainer is not ruling out the possibility of stepping Itso Fury up in trip as the season unfolds.

He added: "I’d say he might get a bit further going forward. He’s got plenty to learn, he jumped reasonably well and the practice will definitely do him good."

Seven Barrows double

Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville combined to win the final two races on the card.

Progressive got the ball rolling when building on the promise she showed on her hurdling debut at Uttoxeter when making all to defeat the Deborah Cole-trained Laura Bullion by 16 lengths.

Henderson and De Boinville followed up when King Alexander made a winning start to his career when readily coming clear of Get The Value in the 2m bumper.

Results, replays and analysis

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