Earth Drummer is ridden out by Ronan Whelan to beat Zaindera in second © Photo Healy Racing
Ronan Whelan aptly rode out his claim on a horse trained by his boss Jim Bolger, as Earth Drummer took the Keywest Play Live 20th June Maiden in comfortable fashion.
The four-year-old son of Dylan Thomas, who is owned by Micheal Ryan, finished third to Alkasser on his debut at Cork in April, and he then finished fifth of sixteen behind Maskoon at Navan last month.
Available at 6/1 this morning, before the defection of likely favourite Danish Duke, the bay colt opened on-course the 9/4 favourite before drifting out to 5/2 at the off.
Settled in mid-division he was sixth three furlongs out and was ridden from the two furlong pole.
Once he got some daylight inside the final furlong he burst through to lead, going on from there score two and a half lengths. Zaindera who was sent off the 2/1 favourite, finished second under Shane Foley for Mick Halford, while Pivy's Bridge ran a fine race to take third, a further three and a half lengths back under Conor Hoban for Pat Martin at 25/1.
Bolger was represented by his assistant Ger Flynn afterwards and he said: "That’s Ronan’s claim got now.
"He has always shown a nice bit at home. He has been working well. He ran into a smart sort of horse first time at Cork and the last day at Navan the ground was probably on the soft side for him.
"Ronan said the seven furlongs was fine for him and the ground was fine.
"Everything was 100% and he had plenty of horse when he asked him to go."
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
