Tiger mauls rivals to gain well deserved maiden success Having reached the frame on all four previous runs over flights, the John Patrick Ryan trained Eye Of A Tiger made the breakthrough when landing the Curragh To Curragh Charity Cycle On 30th August Maiden Hurdle at Kilbeggan. Sent straight to the front from flag fall, J J Slevin set a steady pace on the 11/8jf. Third favourite Beir Bua gave chase, with the other joint market leader Kabylia tracking in third. From three out the race only really concerned the front trio, as they drew further clear of the remainder. A less than fluent jump two out put Beir Bua on the backfoot, as Slevin kicked on from the front on Eye Of A Tiger. Asserting on the run to the final flight, the five-year-old mare went clear to win easily by six-and-a-half lengths. “It’s not before time anyway! She could have won first time out the same,” said Ryan. “She ran a bit keen but he grabbed a good hold of her and settled her in front. They went 34mph nearly the whole way around, they went a fair gallop. “She’s a grand filly to have. The lads are anxious to go to Cheltenham in October so we’ll probably go there for a novice hurdle.” Additional reporting by Gary Carson.
