Easy for Jim on Spanish John

PAT HUGHES’ Spanish John was always an odds-on chance for the Bourn Vincent Memorial Park Maiden Hurdle at the first stage of the Killarney Festival last night and he proved much too good for moderate rivals in the hands of local hero Jim Culloty.

The winner didn’t jump great, but had no trouble easing ahead before two out to beat He’s My Man by seven lengths.

Said Hughes: “He likes that ground, but jumped deliberately. It surprised me, I thought he was better than that. He will now go for a two mile race on the flat at Galway.”