Dont Tell No One wins on hurdling debut after 883-day absence

Dont Tell No One defied an 883-day absence to make a successful start to his career over jumps in the Happy New Year Maiden Hurdle at Fairyhouse.

The winner of a bumper at the 2013 Galway Festival on his only previous start, Dermot Weld's eight-year-old was a 4-1 shot for his long-awaited comeback and hurdling debut, carrying the colours of racing presenter Brian Gleeson.

Davy Russell always had his mount well positioned and after hitting the front two flights from the finish, he kept on well to score by a comfortable length and three-quarters from Sizinguptheamazon.

“That’s a very pleasant start. He had been schooling well at home and I thought he’d be hard to beat. It’s a nice start to the New Year,” said Weld.

“He’s had his problems but he has a lot of ability and it’s onwards and upwards.

“He’ll go for a winners of one. He stays very well and we’ll look for something over two-and-a-half to three miles.”

Meanwhile Sambremont continued his education over fences in the Irish Racing Year Book Beginners Chase.

Just useful as a novice hurdler, the full-brother to Gold Cup runner-up Djakadam looks like taking much higher order over fences, getting off the mark at the third time of asking after a couple of seconds.

Ridden by Ruby Walsh, Sambremont made all for a 16-length win over Mydor as the 4-5 favourite.

Winning trainer Willie Mullins said: “He jumped fantastically. He’ll probably have to go up in grade now and if he does he’ll probably go up in trip as well.

“He’ll get an entry in the four-miler (National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham) and we’ll see what he does between now and then.

“He was very sure-footed there and I think four miles will be no problem to him. We’ll try and get another run into him.”

Walsh said: “He jumps like his brother.”