Timing the key for three-year-old Riviere D'etel

Timing is vital and it's probably something that Navan business couple Noel and Valerie Moran know plenty about.

The couple certainly got the timing right at Punchestown today when the impressive Riviere D'etel landed a three-year-old hurdle only hours before turning four at midnight.

The 1st January is the official date when all racehorses are classified a year older so winning the last juvenile (three-year-old) hurdle of 2020 some 10 hours before the deadline was definitely cutting it fine.

Today the Gordon Elliott-trained French-bred grey filly was sent-off at 8/15 favourite and landed the odds comfortably for jockey Jack Kennedy winning by an easy 12 lengths from 50/1 chance Coventry.

It was a first outing for the owners and the filly had previously finished second in a Listed hurdle in France last September.

It brings the tally of winners over the Christmas period for Noel and Valerie Moran to four after Hollow Games (bumper Leopardstown), Grand Roi (hurdle Limerick), Zanahiyr (hurdle, Leopardstown) were all successful.

Ones to watch out for running in the green and white Bective GAA colours of the Morans over the next few days include this trio - Folcano, Queens Brook and Ginto at Fairyhouse on Sunday.