Stander (right) stays on best to beat Galtymore in the opener at Roscommon© Photo Healy Racing
The Paul Stafford trained Stander sprang a 66/1 surprise in the opener at Roscommon, the Boyle Maiden Hurdle.
Previously trained by John McConnell, and placed on the level at Ffos Las, the son of Famous Name disappointed on his first two outings for Stafford.
Available at 150/1 in early shows, the Sean Gallagher owned bay raced in mid-division under Adam Short, and was tenth with a circuit to race.
He took closer order and was switched to the outer for room approaching three out, coming under pressure in fifth from the next.
He kept on well down the outer from there, getting up in the final 50 yards to prevail by a neck. Galtymore (4/1) had to settle for second under Denis Hogan, while the 5/6 favourite Free Ranger was another two and a quarter lengths back in third.
The Noel Meade trained market leader had no luck in running up the home straight, and was denied a clear on more than one occasion.
Stafford said afterwards: "That's very much a surprise. He's not a bad horse to work at home but from his first couple of runs we felt that he'd want easier ground.
"Adam is invaluable to me. He's having a great season and he fully deserves it because he's probably the best young lad that I've seen to work, nothing is a problem to him, and he's great for giving me feedback on a horse."
The winner, who paid a massive E456.40 with the Tote, is a half-brother to the Willie Mullins trained Causey Arch, while he is closely-related to three time Group 1 winner Phoenix Reach.
STEWARDS REPORTS
Under the provisions of Rule 90 (iii), the Stewards allowed Joe The Crow trained by Joseph Patrick O'Brien, to run on receipt of the trainer's written assurance that the horse was correctly vaccinated in accordance with Rule 91.
The Stewards fined Anthony Mullins, trainer, E350 for lodging a passport in respect of Party Playboy (GER), in which the vaccinations did not conform with the provisions of Rule 91. The Stewards ordered the withdrawal of horse name in accordance with the provisions of Rule 90 (iv).
R.A. Doyle, rider of Dragon Phoenix trained by Conor O'Dwyer, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount made a bad mistake at the third last.
The Stewards requested a report from Paul Stafford, trainer as to the apparent improvement in form of Stander, placed first, as compared with its recent form.
The trainer reported that this horse was quite green on his previous runs but had been extensively schooled at home since.
Today in a slight change of tactics he was ridden more prominently amongst horses which seemed to bring about an improvement. Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the explanation offered.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
