'He's maturing the whole time' - Great Universe relishes step up in trip to win impressively for Martin Brassil

Great Universe put it all together to get off the mark over hurdles at the fifth attempt in the 3m1½f maiden hurdle under Ricky Doyle, who guided the 7-2 shot to an effortless seven-length success over Machismo.

The Martin Brassil-trained eight-year-old was taking a marked step up in trip and Doyle restrained him in rear where his mount relaxed well. The pair began to loom up on the outside approaching two out and glided clear on landing, putting the race to bed in a matter of strides.

It was a significant step forward on his seasonal reappearance at Listowel last month and he has some eyecatching form in the book, most notably when finishing fourth behind Ballyburn, Dancing City and Slade Steel in a Punchestown bumper last year.

"He's maturing the whole time, mentally and physically," said the winning rider. "Martin and the lads at home have done a great job as he hasn't always been the easiest. The main thing was he had to switch off and relax. If he did that, he had the ability to pick them off.

Rambler toughs it out

Josh Williamson steered home Newtown Rambler to a gritty victory in the 2m4½f qualified riders maiden hurdle for Henry de Bromhead.

The five-year-old is a half-brother to 2023 Grand National winner Corach Rambler and went one better than on his debut when runner-up at Downpatrick last month, holding on by three-quarters of a length from Will Wilde at odds of 10-3.

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