Blinkers help Ruler Of All live up to his name

Ruler Of All, a 340,000 guineas yearling in his time, benefited from the addition of first time blinkers in the opening www.thurlesraces.ie Maiden Hurdle, scoring convincingly in the hands of Andrew McNamara.

McNamara in the familiar Thomas Barr silks, improved travelling well to be close up from before three out and he took the lead from the pace-setting favourite Shifa before the straight. The contest was soon as good as over as the victorious Sadler's Wells gelding was clear from before the last on the way to accounting for Little Green by four and a half lengths.

Edward O'Grady trains Ruler Of All formerly with Barry Hills and Henry Candy and he is a half-brother to the high-class Fashion Statement (won the Italian Oaks). Peter Savill bred Ruler Of All.

O'Grady said: "I think the blinkers might have helped him concentrate a bit better. We were a little bit disappointed that he got beaten a few times but he is a lovely big horse and he'll go for a novice hurdle now."

Tom Doyle, who was brought down on Oscar Mac suffered a pelvic injury, he was stood down for the day and he is gone for x-rays.