Hey Now, McNamara saddles first winner for McManus Hey Now travelled smoothly on his way to annexing the Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle that got Sligo's action under way. He loomed large on the shoulder of long-time-leader Lilac Lady off the home bend and Aidan Kelly sent him past that rival just before the final flight. The 15/8 favourite strode in by three and three-quarter lengths from the 13/2 runner-up with a keeping-on Game On half a length back in third at 4/1. This was Hey Now's third race for Andrew McNamara having finished fourth in Naas and fifth at Clonmel. This was the first winner that McNamara trained for leading owner J.P. McManus. The trainer said: "I have nine in full work at the moment and three of them have won in the last 10 days or so! "This is my first winner for Mr McManus. I had one horse for him before, but he didn't do much. "He's big and babyish, but a good mover and well balanced, so he handled the track well. "Aidan said he put down at one or two, he was just a bit novicey. We ran him on heavy ground during the winter, but I'd say he wants it somewhere in between the extremes. "He's by Yorgunnabelucky, who seems to get a lot of horses who travel well, and I think he'll be going shorter rather than longer (trips). Hopefully, he'll be a nice two-miler and he should jump a fence in time." Additional reporting by Mark Nunan
