Royal Ascot winning jockey Ronan Whelan was on the mark in the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden at Killarney today, scoring on the Sheila Lavery trained Mr Ormsby (13/8).

The son of Haateef raced prominently throughout and in the end went clear of his rivals in the final furlong for a two lengths win over 10/11 favourite Sean O’Casey.

Afterwards Lavery stated “he needs better ground - all the family are soft ground horses and Ronan said he is still idle and maybe to step him up in trip. He’s so lazy at home and Ronan gave him a lovely ride.

“The handicapper killed me by giving him 17lbs for his third place finish in a maiden and if he gives me a whack after this, I’m in real trouble. I’ll go the handicap route and that’s as soft as he wants it.”

By Tom Weekes