From left to right: Leomar, First Class Ticket, Cook Islands and Monarch jump the last© Photo Healy Racing
Joseph O'Brien and owner JP McManus registered a 1, 2 in the opener at Punchestown, the www.punchestown.com Maiden Hurdle, with the 5/2 favourite Cook Islands (first time tongue strap) leading home 16/1 chance Monarch
Ridden by O'Brien, for his father Aidan, when winning his maiden at Navan in 2016, the winning son of Fastnet Rock failed to follow-up on his next four starts.
Having his first start for O'Brien junior this evening he was settled towards the head of mid-division by Mark Walsh, and was hampered at the fifth by the fall of Blue Eyed Lucy
He was niggled along in fourth on the approach to the straight, and came with his challenge on the outer at the last. The bay victor was soon ridden to the front, and he kept on well in the closing stages to score by two and a half lengths.
Monarch, who travelled best before the last, didn't find a whole lot off the bridle, and he had to settle for second. Leomar (10s this morning and from 7s to 4s on-course) was another three lengths back in third under JJ Slevin for Gordon Elliott. First Class Ticket was the big gamble of the race. From 20s last night, the Andrew McNamara trained gelding opened on-course at just 10/3, before going off the 3/1 second favourite.
He briefly led before the final flight, but ultimately had to settle for fourth, a nose behind the third.
Frank Berry, racing manager to JP McManus, said afterwards: "Mark said he warmed up to it well after getting messed around by the faller left him a bit out of it. He said he got the hang of it well and came home well.
"You'd have to be pleased with him. He probably wouldn't want the ground any faster than tonight.
"We'll tip away with him during the summer and see where we end up.
"The second horse arrived there going well. They should both learn a bit from the experience. We'll have a bit of fun with them during the summer."
STEWARDS REPORTS
R. Walsh, rider of Share The Honour (GB) trained by A.J.Martin, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount hung badly to the left during this race.
N.T. Prendergast, rider of Charle Brune (FR) trained by T.Shanahan, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount cocked his jaw and ran out at the bend entering the back straight.
The Stewards fined Matthew J. Smith, trainer, €350 for lodging a passport in respect of Ronald Pump (GB), in which the vaccinations did not conform with the provisions of Rule 91. The Stewards allowed the horse to run on receipt of the trainer's written assurance that the vaccinations were in order.
The Stewards interviewed N.T. Prendergast, rider of Charle Brune (FR), trained by T.Shanahan, concerning his riding when leaving the running rail at the entrance to the back straight and racing wide around a turning point which was not part of the course for this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who stated that he had walked the track prior to racing and was familiar with the route to be taken. He added that his mount cocked his jaw at that point and ran off the track but continued around a railing and obstacle which was not part of the course for this race. He explained that he did not fight his mount as he reacts to that style of riding and consequently he experienced some difficulty in trying to pull him up. He confirmed that he had made a report to the Clerk of the Scales post race in relation to what had happened. Having viewed the recording and considered the evidence, the Stewards accepted the explanation offered.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
