Bosco Di Alco ended a frustrating losing spell when winning the Tayto Group Ltd. Maiden Hurdle at Down Royal today, scoring for his exasperated trainer Liz Doyle, and under jockey Sean Flanagan.

The son of Dom Alco had failed to win in nine attempts since his bumper win at the same Co Down venue in May 2016 and following today’s much improved performance to beat Creadan Grae Co Wexford based Doyle quipped “you'd be in the poor house if you followed this horse since he won his bumper here!

“He won his bumper really well but has had silent wind problems since. I did his palate this year and then he came out and Donagh (Meyler) was second on him but then never travelled on the ground (when pulling up) in Galway.”

She added “that today is kind of the nice horse I thought he was and I just have to keep on top of the silent wind problems.

"There's a nice Grade B handicap in Gowran and if the ground is good he'll go there - it’s over three miles and he needs the three miles.

“He has a good engine but it’s hardship for the trainer when they don't make noise and you don't know what is wrong. We’re getting on top of his wind problem though and hopefully he will be more trainable now.”

Quotes from Michael Graham