O'Keeffe doubles-up on Captain Ryan Matt Completing a double for Darragh O’Keeffe, Captain Ryan Matt comfortable accounted for eight rivals in the Little Darlings Child Care Maiden Hurdle. A runner-up at Punchestown and Gowran earlier in the year, the Henry de Bromhead-trained five-year-old was widely expected to make the breakthrough this evening and was returned the 8/13 favourite in the colours of Derek Coles & Family. Settled in second behind the front-running Penny Express, the Affinsea bay travelled best and improved to lead before two out, soon skipping clear and ultimately easing to a nine-length win. Third on recent starts at Roscommon and Wexford respectively, October Hill (14/1) filled the runner-up spot, while the aforementioned Penny Express (4/1) was a head back in third under Jack Kennedy. "Jack's horse (Penny Express) was a bit awkward in front of me and kept jumping out, but in fairness to my lad he jumped well and quickened up well," O’Keeffe, who took the opener on Caesar Rock, reflected. "He is bound to come on from the run as he hasn't run in a while. It's great to get that done with him and hopefully now connections will have a bit of sport with him. "When I rode him the last two times he ran well, but the ground was quite testing both days and we thought he'd appreciate nicer ground and he has today. "Hopefully he can build on this and he will be able to go on slower ground as well. He has options ahead of him. "Going forward, he is a horse that will definitely be able to step-up in trip , but I thought he quickened up well today around a tight track like here, so I'd say keep him at that trip until you have to."
