Siog Geal makes perfect start over hurdles for in-form Fergal O'Brien and Johnny Burke

O'Brien with his big Stayers' Hurdle hope Crambo

Fergal O'Brien: trainer of Catterick winner Siog GealCredit: Steve Davies

Siog Geal earned quotes of 40-1 for the Ryanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle after making the perfect start with victory on her hurdles debut.

The five-year-old point-to-point winner, who finished second in two bumpers, including in a Listed race at Cheltenham last month, was 4-9 favourite in the feature Sky Bet Mares' Novices' Hurdle and won by three-quarters of a length from Surrey Belle under Johnny Burke.

"I was very pleased with her today," said trainer Fergal O'Brien. "She's got decent form from her bumpers, having finished second in a Listed bumper. I thought she was going to win easier than she did but Johnny always felt he had the runner-up, who was a decent horse on the Flat, covered."

Burke recorded the opening leg of a double when last month's Ascot bumper winner Kdeux Saint Fray followed up in the 2m3½f maiden hurdle.

The Anthony Honeyball-trained four-year-old was a comfortable winner, beating 6-4 favourite Tamarind Bay by five and a half lengths.

"It was a commanding performance from Kdeux Saint Fray," Burke told Racing TV. "He impressed in his Ascot bumper and any horse that can win a bumper there must have a certain level of ability. I was happy to let things unfold but was keen to get going from the bottom of the straight.

"I couldn't have been more confident in him and this experience should stand him in good stead at galloping tracks."

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