Ballot is green & raw but up to the task

Put forward as the solution to the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund (C & G) Maiden by the Racing Post's Johnny Ward, Beat The Ballot was put in as a 20/1 chance this morning before being supported into half those odds on track. The Big Bad Bob gelding came home best under Shane Foley to prevail.

He ran with a bit of promise at Gowran after making a slow start on his debut 76 days back and here he displayed a determined attitude to 'cut down' Ferryview Place in the latter stages. The winning distance was three parts of a length and then there was half a length and a short head back to a couple of promising newcomers Muck'N'Brass and Raven's Claw Favourite Fluidity pulled far too hard in first time blinkers and eventually had to settle for eighth place.

Tracey Collins, the winning trainer, said: "I'm delighted. He ran green but when the gap appeared Shane produced him and he went forward.

"It was a rough race but that (the win) takes a bit of the sting out of the cold up here!

"There is nothing left for him now. He's a raw horse – a late developer, and we'll look for something early next year for him." (GC & EM)