Ballyadam and Jack Kennedy get over the last© Photo Healy Racing
Ballyadam completed a quick double for Gordon Elliott, Jack Kennedy and Cheveley Park Stud, as he ran out an easy winner of the Tayto Group Maiden Hurdle.
Successful in a point-to-point for Colin McKeever at Portrush in October of last year, the son of Fame And Glory was subsequently sold to current connections for 330,000 pounds.
Third on his racecourse debut at Navan in February, he since came home eighteen lengths clear of his rivals in a bumper at Downpatrick.
Expected to follow-up this afternoon, the five-year-old gelding was sent off the 4/6 favourite.
Settled in second, he cruised through to lead on the approach to two out and despite an awkward jump at the last, he went on to register a twelve length success. Colonel Mustard (10/3) ran a nice race to finish second under Conor Orr for Lorna Fowler, while He's A Hardy Bloke (10/3) was a further eighteen lengths back in third.
"He's a fair horse. If he had winged the last, he would have gone 10 lengths further clear. He has actually learned by missing the last," Elliot reflected.
"He'll step up into graded company now, he's very quick - I'd say something like the Royal Bond.
"He's pretty smart."
Paddy Power go 10/1 (from 16s) about the winner for the Supreme Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.
Additional reporting by Michael Graham
