'That was quite a taking performance from a nice novice' - Ben Pauling impressed as hurdling debutant wins comfortably

Jig's Forge ploughed through the mud to make a comfortable winning debut for Ben Pauling in the 2m4f maiden hurdle.

Winner of a heavy-ground Irish point-to-point, the five-year-old made all under Ben Jones, travelling keenly throughout but finding plenty to score by six lengths from dual bumper winner Blue Las.

Pauling said: "He's a very laid-back individual at home, hence the reason we thought we'd bob along and keep it simple. He was actually very keen. He jumped very well for one of ours first time out on heavy ground, and he did well to win considering he was fairly enthusiastic early doors.

"I'd mark that down as quite a taking performance from a nice novice going forward. He looked like he went through the ground nicely, but I don't think he's short of speed – he shows plenty of speed at home – and two and a half [miles] is where we'll stay for the moment.

"We've got time at this time of year to find our way to the better races without going too quickly. We'll take in a novice under a penalty and see what comes next."

Jones later doubled up when steering Cast's Tasha to victory in the 2m6f mares' handicap for Ben Clarke, who has won with his last three runners.

Sheehan lands double

The Jamie Snowden-trained Admiral Stewart showed the benefit of his reappearance last month when making the perfect transition to hurdles in the 2m maiden under Gavin Sheehan.

Sheehan completed a double when guiding the Oliver Signy-trained The Scorpion King to victory in the following 3m novice handicap chase.

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