Piccolo Player upstages market principals The market principals were upstaged in the Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle, with the John Ryan-trained Piccolo Player coming out on top in this two-mile heat. A fair sixth of 14 on debut at Cork earlier in the month, the Vadamos four-year-old was sent off an 8/1 chance this afternoon, racing mainly in third under Michael Kenneally. Coming with his challenge approaching two out and soon getting to the front, he was pushed out on the run-in to maintain his advantage, coming home a length-and-a-quarter to the good. Returned the 4/7 favourite, Torps appeared to be outpaced early in the straight, but kept on again close home to fill the runner-up berth, with Kmil Du Seuil (9/4) a short head away in third. "It is great for Tommy (James, owner/breeder ) who has had a few horses with me and this one is the best one since Lucid Dreams," Ryan reflected. "He is still raw and we'll look for a little novice hurdle somewhere now." Enniscorthy based James, who previously trained winners in his own name, added: "He is a lovely big horse and is still a big baby. He had a lovely run the first day, which crowned him. He learned a lot that day and still learned to race even when he got tired. "This is hopefully the horse to replace Lucid Dreams." STEWARDS REPORT C.P. Millar, rider of Crypto Crash (GB), trained by David Kenneth Budds, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount jumped left and hung right. Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
