Rula Bula joins exciting list of O'Neill novices with smooth hurdling debut

AJ and Jonjo O'Neill have been firing in the winners recently and the duo struck again when top prospect Rula Bula made a successful hurdling debut in the 2m4½f mares' maiden.

The five-year-old was sent off the 1-2 favourite to do so after finishing second in a Listed bumper at Sandown in March and exerted her class on the opposition from two hurdles from home.

There was room for improvement in her jumping technique as she wasn't fluent at several obstacles, but she ultimately stretched nine and a half lengths clear of Fireball Frenzy under minimal pressure from Jonjo O'Neill jnr.

"We're happy with the way they're going at the minute so long may it continue," O'Neill snr said. "It was a nice race and a nice introduction. She was a bit guessy at one or two hurdles but she was in control and just needed to get round. Everything went nice and smooth. 

"We'll probably go for a similar race next under a penalty. Jonjo said she could go back to two miles on soft ground as she has plenty of pace, but it was nice ground today. She's nice to look forward to."

Rula Bula joins the stable's exciting recent novice hurdle winners Roadlesstravelled, Bill Joyce and Mister Meggit. 

Friendly rivalry

David Bass got one over on his old boss Kim Bailey when partnering Eyed to run out a comfortable winner of the 2m5½f handicap chase. Bailey's Zmiinyi, who Bass rode at Chepstow last October, finished second.

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