Hard Yards is clear of his rivals as he approaches the line under Chris Hayes© Photo Healy Racing
The Andrew Oliver trained Hard Yards made all to take the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Auction 2yo Maiden under Chris Hayes.
The winning son of Moss Vale, who was purchased by Oliver for €14,000 at the Goffs Orby Yearling Sale in 2011, was sent off the 2/1 favourite (opened 9/4 on-course).
He had run well on his debut at the Curragh in June to finish third behind Gale Force Ten and Leitir Mor but disappointed last time out again at the Curragh where he finished a well beaten fifth behind Rawaaq.
Stepped up in trip by a furlong to seven furlongs this evening, he broke well, made all and asserted a furlong from home to score by three and a half lengths from the David Marnane trained newcomer Elleval in second at 11/2 under Fergal Lynch.
Andrew Oliver said afterwards: "I'm delighted with that. We always liked the horse and he had a very nice first run at the Curragh.
"Nothing seemed to work out for him last time out. He got a bit worked up beforehand and nothing went right for him during the race. We drew a line through that run.
"Taking into account what we thought of him we thought he would go close tonight. Chris gave him a great straightforward ride."
The winner is a half-brother to Shostakovich who has won six on the level in the UK for Sylvester Kirk and Bayleyf who has won twice for John Best.
(On-course reporting by Gary Carson)
