Aherlow makes all for deserved win

Aherlow got a deserved win to his name as he made virtually all in the Fermoy Maiden Hurdle.

The Henry de Bromhead trained six-year-old filled the runner-up spot on three of his five starts before today, disappointing last time out at Tramore when sent off a 7/4 favourite.

Stepped up in trip to three miles for the first time today, the son of Oscar was sent off a 4/1 chance in the colours of owner Jeremiah Morrissey.

Toward the head of affairs throughout under Andrew Lynch, he was ridden from the third last, and kept on well on the run-in to see off the challenge of Amram by half a length.

The runner-up was returned at 16/1 under Eoin O'Connell for Patrick Neville, while Roundstone was a further two and a quarter lengths back in third. School Boy Hours was sent off the 5/4 favourite (from an opening show on-course of 9/10), and he fell five out.

de Bromhead said afterwards: "It's great to get the win for the Morrisseys and he's a full-brother to Scamall Dubh who won in Galway for them and that's our first winner for them.

"He's a lovely big horse and we'll go chasing next with him as he is the real stamp of a chaser."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes