Buddy One gets confidence boosting win ahead of Galway

With Galway very much on his agenda, Buddy One got a confidence boosting win to his name in the concluding Tote.ie Maiden.

A high-class performer over flights and fourth and fifth in the last two editions of the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham, the Paul Gilligan-trained eight-year-old was sent off a 4/1 chance this evening.

Settled behind the leaders by Rory Cleary and pushed along to take closer order from the three-furlong pole, the Sans Frontieres bay was ridden and gained a narrow lead approaching the straight.

Needing to be kept up to his work, he ultimately fought off the persistent challenge of debutant So Golden with a length between them at the line.

The runner-up was returned at 16/1 under Shane Foley for Ken Condon, with the front pair drawing four-lengths clear of Friary Road in third.

Returned the 10/11 favourite, Young Churchill faded tamely approaching the straight and eventually finished fourth.

"He is classy horse over hurdles, he's rated high," Cleary reflected.

"Paul isn't here tonight, he had runners in England. He said to buck him out good and smart and hopefully his class will be good enough to do him justice and he was right.

"It was straightforward and an easy race to win.

"He's getting on in age and when he gets to the front he just does enough. He's in good order.

"I was never in fear of the second horse coming back at me, my lad kept pulling out and just did enough."

When it was put to him that it was a nice blow ahead of Galway he added:- "I'm sure that's what Mr Gilligan was planning, getting a good pipe opener into him today for next week."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson