Antey just gets the better of Last Minute Man © Photo Healy Racing
Antey opened his account for champion trainer Willie Mullins when landing the odds in the UCC Goes Racing Maiden Hurdle at Cork.
The son of Lord Of England won on the Flat in France and was sent off the 4/9 favourite here having shown promise in the famous Ricci colours on his three previous hurdle outings.
However odds-on punters were made to really sweat as chief market rival Last Minute Man (9/4) put in a strong challenge on his first start since making a winning bumper debut at Down Royal nearly 14 months ago.
Davy Russell waited until the final flight before really asking Last Minute Man but Antey, who jumped left on occasions, kept on under pressure near the stands’ side rail under Paul Townend to score by a head. Ask And Answer who was prominent throughout but unable to go with the principals in the straight, kept on one paced 18 lengths back in third.
Townend said, "We thought he'd have won his maiden hurdle before now and had disappointed us but he had fitness and experience on his side.
"He'll be better with better ground and also going the other way around but he has won his maiden now."
(TW & AM)
