Born By The Sea scores for the Gilligans

There was little between Born By The Sea (4s into 5/2 on course) and the odds-on favourite Rocket Lad (4/6) racing to the last in the opening Racing TV Maiden Hurdle, with the former just holding a fractional advantage as they took the final flight.

David Mullins went for everything on the favourite but Emmet Mullins’ gelding didn’t get high enough and crashed out, leaving Liam Gilligan’s mount to come home seven lengths and four lengths ahead of the 25/1 chances Get A Price and Sand Fly

The winner had been a bit unfortunate himself when falling at the last at Cork last month when in contention, and had run well subsequently behind Mr Everest at Galway.

"That was well deserved but most importantly Rocket Lad and David are up okay," said winning trainer Paul Gilligan.

"A lot of thanks must go to John Bleahen who mentioned the horse to me, and my wife Natalie is into him with three guys from Moycullen.

"They had a horse with me before that got a fall and was killed one day at Fontwell.

"This fella will probably step-up in trip now."

Additional reporting by Eamonn Murphy