Ballystone justifies odds-on favouritism

The first divide of the Sheridan Electric Maiden Hurdle went the way of Ballystone with this Tom Gibney-trained five-year-old justifying odds-on favouritism.

Placed in two bumpers and beaten by just a head on his most recent start at Cork, the son of Shirocco was sent at 1/2 from early shows of 13/8.

Always towards the head of affairs under Darragh O'Keeffe, the Derek Kierans-owned bay made virtually all and needed to be ridden out in the closing stages to see off the challenge of Sherodan by a length-and-three-quarters.

The runner-up ran a fine race returning from a lengthy absence and was returned at 7/2 under Sean Flanagan for Peter Fahey.

The front pair went 14 lengths clear of Art Of Silence (14/1) in third.

"Darragh told me that they had done a great job with the ground when I spoke to him last night so we were never not going to run, but he wouldn't really be a summer horse," Gibney revealed.

"We'll see what Derek says but he might have a break and he'll definitely handle winter ground. He should have no problem staying further in time."

The winner was second in a point-to-point when trained by Colin McKeever and is a half-brother to 10-time winner Wholestone.

STEWARDS REPORT

S.F. O'Keeffe, rider of Catchabird trained by W.J. Burke, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount bolted going to the start.

Additional reporting by Mark Nunan