Bay Survives Late Scare

New Town Bay made it third time lucky on the racecourse when he took the opening Larrigy's Bar Kilbeggan Maiden Hurdle. Supported from 12s into 9s, the seven-year-old took over in the straight and despite hanging badly left on the run-in, Andrew McNamara's mount had enough in reserve to see off favourite Pay The Ferryman (7/4 into 5/4) by a length and three parts.

Winning trainer, Edward O'Grady was a happy man in the aftermath, commenting: "I'm delighted as he is my first winner as an owner, I have a half share in him. I don't know why he fell first time out because he is a great jumper and he'll be a chaser down the line."