Stand Up And Fight jumps to the front at the last© Photo Healy Racing
After winning the first with Stretchingthetruth Mark Walsh and JP McManus quickly doubled-up in the second, the BETDAQ Serious About Sport Maiden Hurdle, as Stand Up And Fight ran out a convincing winner.
Having filled the runner-up spot on his debut at Navan in April, the son of Flemensfirth was installed the 7/4 favourite in early betting shows.
However, the Enda Bolger trained gelding surprisingly opened at 9/2 on-course, touching 5's before going off the well-backed second choice of punters at 5/2.
After racing in third, he improved into second and travelled best entering the straight. He took over in front at the last, and was pushed out on the run-in to score by five and a half lengths. Kagney who was sent off the 7/4 favourite, had to settle for second under Sean Flanagan for Noel Meade, while Ballyegan Hero (7/1) completed the placings, a further seven and a half lengths back in third under Brian O'Connell for John Joe Walsh.
Enda Bolger said afterwards: "What more can you ask for? He'd a promising run at Navan and has built on it. He has size and scope, and is going to make a chaser in time.
"He'll stick to hurdles this season, and is still very raw and green. He will have learned a lot today.
"He was very slick over his hurdles, and showed a bit of speed. He's an exciting fella."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
