Rodney Bay got off the mark at the 24th career attempt today, winning Downpatrick's opening Racing TV Maiden Hurdle for trainer Joe Murray, jockey J.J. Slevin and owners Lisa Sheridan and Larry Murray.

The son of Most Improved had been placed in six of 23 previous runs, mixed between flat and hurdles, and today raced prominently and a shade keenly, before eventually battling to a three parts of a length win over Duleek Street

Slevin was riding his sixth winner of the past three weeks, including September's Kerry National on Busselton, and said "he had form around here and he deserved to get his day. He was very game and kept finding, in fairness to him.

"It is yielding or maybe a bit slower, lovely ground."

Quotes from Michael Graham