In a somewhat similar fashion to the opening race at Listowel we had an always to the fore winning favourite as Black Key (11/8) got the job done in the John B. Keane (C & G) Maiden Hurdle. Storm Rising threatened to go by from before the final hurdle but the Dylan Robinson-ridden Black Key got 'down and dirty' in better fashion to prevail by a length and a quarter.

"It's taken a while to win his maiden and we said we'd be positive around here with him and Dylan gave him a great ride," said successful handler Henry de Bromhead.

"He is tough in fairness and has just taken a while to win his maiden. He could go up in trip as well and could also jump fences quite soon."

R.M. Power, rider of The Rebel Knight trained by A.J.Martin, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount was very free early on, jumped indifferently, had no where to go leaving the back straight and thought he would stay on better in the home straight.

(TW & EM)