Ryan thinks Cyclone can cause a stir

The opener at Kilbeggan was the WTW Willis Maiden Hurdle over two miles and it was won by the JJ Slevin-ridden Minella Cyclone (14s into 8/1 on the show).

Having run well in a point-to-point for John Nallen, the imposing Harzand gelding, owned by the We Win Farming Syndicate which includes broadcaster Hector Ó hEochagáin, disappointed in a bumper here in May.

On this first run over flights, he tracked a good pace and improved to lead before the last, staying on well to relegate Astelia to second place for the eighth time in her career with four and a half lengths between them at the line.

“I don't think I've ever had a better horse. He's a real good horse,” said winning trainer John Ryan.

“We were giving him a run today to be honest, we thought he'd come on from it.

“He's probably six weeks away from being hard fit. He was a different class, he won just through pure class.

“No screws have been turned on this horse yet. He's a winter horse really, he's 17 hands plus.

“We'll go to Cheltenham in November with him.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson