Table-topper Sam Ewing 20-1 for Irish jockeys' title after moving on to 29 for the season

Sam Ewing's snappy start to the new jumps season is showing no signs of slowing down as victory on the Noel Meade-trained Big Chou in the 2m4½f maiden hurdle brought his tally to 29.

The former pony-racing sensation has already soared past his previous-best total, 18 during the last campaign, and remains one clear of Keith Donoghue at the top of the table. 

Should he stay injury-free he could have a big say in the jockeys' championship, for which Paddy Power make him a 20-1 shot, behind Paul Townend at 1-4 and defending champion Jack Kennedy at 11-4. 

How About No was sent off 5-6 favourite for the maiden hurdle, but he almost ran out heading out on the final circuit and made a bad mistake at the second-last, leaving Big Chou to stay on best under Ewing to beat Charlie's Dilemma by three and a half lengths. 

Meade said of the winner: "He had a cracked pelvis and that’s what kept him out. He’s probably more of a chaser than a hurdler so we might not delay over hurdles with him. He does like good ground."

Four in five days for Donoghue

Donoghue kept up his pursuit of Ewing in the title race thanks to Sansrisk in the opening 2m mares' maiden hurdle, his fourth winner in five days. 

Odds-on backers never had an anxious moment as the 2-5 market leader made every yard of the running on the way to a four-and-a-quarter-length victory over Meet My Loreley. 

Winning trainer Philip Dempsey said: "She was the form horse and we were hoping she would come and do that. It was probably a weak enough race but it was great to get it. She’ll probably go to Down Royal now for the Grade 3 there next."

Door handles ground

There were plenty of non-runners on the card due to unseasonably warm and dry weather that saw the ground quicken to good, good to firm in places after the second race. But one horse who relished conditions was Outside The Door, who was another to make all the running in the 3m handicap hurdle for Peter Smithers. 

Trainer Paudie Roche said of the 6-4 winner: "He loves that ground. He just jumps and he gallops. He’s a grand old horse to have. If the ground stayed all right he might have a go at the Cork National. He has a great attitude and has won six for us now."

Father and son celebrate

The father-and-son combo of Adrian and Harry Sexton celebrated success in the 2m mares' handicap hurdle thanks to 13-2 shot Katherine. 

Winning jockey Harry said: "We were confident coming here today. She’s an unbelievable jumper and that’s a massive help to her. She’s been tricky to train and there have been little things we’ve started to figure out with her."

Gleeson glee

Cheltenham Festival-winning jockey John Gleeson reached a milestone in his short but distinguished riding career when celebrating his 50th winner in the bumper on the Yvonne Latta-trained Belle Le Grand.

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