MAIDEN hurdles run in November and December are typically the strongest races of that type all year, and are predictably dominated by the major yards; there have been 43 such races in 2024 through last Sunday, the big five trainers (Mullins, Elliott, De Bromhead, Cromwell and O’Brien) taking 26 of them, all with multiple winners, no other handler with more than one.

One smaller yard to get among the winners at Navan on Saturday was Colm Murphy with Goraibhmaithagat and he was as impressive a maiden hurdle winner as any in recent weeks. He had won his sole start in points in February and was ridden wide in the rear of the main group for a look at his hurdles, but his jumping proved an asset, in contrast to his full-brother Cadatharla who has had persistent issues in that department.