Further success for Slattery as Ebony King makes all in opener Ebony King made all in the BoyleSports Best Odds Guaranteed Maiden Hurdle, providing Andy Slattery with his third winner of the week. Well-backed when successful on debut in a bumper at Tipperary last month, the Berkshire four-year-old proved easy-to-back this afternoon and from early shows of 11/2, he returned at 9/1. Sent straight to the front by Cian Quirke, he travelled best away from two out, but was tackled by Tatateo approaching the final flight. Needing to be ridden out on the run-in, he eventually came home two-and-a-half lengths clear of his aforementioned rival, with that Denis Hogan-trained gelding also returned at 9/1. The front-pair drew 17-lengths clear of Pistocchi (18/1) in third, while Night Moon (11/10f) was a spent force from two out and finished a disappointing seventh. There was an unfortunate incident at the last, with Figaruso, who was held in third at the time, blundering and breaking a hind leg. "He is a lovely horse and we're only really half-training him as he was so light and weak. We don't know how good he is and Cian said he is a fair horse," Slattery enthused. "Last year he was weak and instead of training him, we jumped him and had him at the Curragh a good few times to school over hurdles. It seems to have paid off. Tipperary and here are the only two gallops he has done. "Cian said he liked that ground so I don't know if he'd go in the depths of winter but we'll see. "Tom Meagher, a vet from Kedrah House, stood Berkshire and his wife and her sisters are the Ladies Choice Partnership." STEWARDS REPORTS * P. Townend, rider of Night Moon (GER), trained by W.P. Mullins, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount stopped quickly. * R.J. Condon, rider of Brosna Town, trained by D. K. Weld, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount got tight on the home bend and stumbled. * J.G. Gilligan, rider of Buckle And Bolts, trained by Paul John Gilligan, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount ran keen throughout. * The Raceday Stewards enquired into an incident on the home bend involving Figaruso, ridden by K.M. Donoghue, unplaced, Go To Town, ridden by D.J Gilligan, unplaced, Night Moon (GER), ridden by P. Townend, unplaced, Brosna Town, ridden by R.J. Condon, placed fifth, and Stede Bonnet, ridden by J.W. Kennedy, placed sixth where it appeared Brosna Town ran out of room and had to check. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. K.M. Donoghue, D.J. Gilligan and J.W. Kennedy all said they kept a straight line. P. Townend said his horse was going backwards but he tried to keep a straight line. R.J. Condon said there initially was a gap but it got congested and he had to take back. He added that he didn't have the horse to fill the gap. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards took no further action. * The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Night Moon (GER), trained by W.P. Mullins, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal. Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
