The first race of the New Year at Naas Racecourse, the Racing Again on Saturday 21st January Maiden Hurdle, went to the 2/5 favourite Sportsmaster for his trainer Edward O'Grady with Mark Walsh aboard.
Having won twice on the level for Andy Oliver in June of this year (including the Apprentice Derby at the Curragh) he was sold to his current owner JP McManus.
Sent off at 3/1 second favourite for his debut over hurdles at Leopardstown’s Christmas Festival he was badly hampered at the fourth flight and unseated his rider in the race won by Chilli.
Strongly supported from his morning price of 10/11 into 2/5, the son of Ad Valorem led from the second hurdle and attempted to assert between the last two.
The second favourite Hisaabaat for Dermot Weld and Paul Townend, didn’t let the favourite have it all his own way as he pushed him all the way to the line just going down by a length at the finish at the odds of 10/3. Musawama under Paul Carberry for Gordon Elliott got third placed prize money a further three lengths behind at the odds of 8/1.
Stan James have introduced the winner at 25/1 for the Truimph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
