Casheldale Lad a wide-margin winner on hurdle debut

Gordon Elliott's Casheldale Lad routed the opposition off the front in the PRL Group Maiden Hurdle at Gowran Park as he made a successful transition to flights.

He fairly sprinted away from his rivals once given the office by Jack Kennedy after two out. The Raven's Pass gelding wasn't fluent at the last, but was clear at that stage and strolled home by 13 lengths to reward favourite backers at 15/8. Harry's Dream who was 25/1 in the morning, took a remote second at 8/1. He was almost five lengths in front of Dream Diamond (50/1).

This was Casheldale Lad's debut for Elliott, having won a Flat maiden at Punchestown in September last year for Andrew Kinirons.

Kennedy said: “He did it well. He jumped good overall but had a couple of little mistakes, one down the back and he got in under the last as well.

“He's a nice horse, hopefully he learns to relax a bit better. It's all go with him. He has an engine, so hopefully he learns how to race properly.

“For a horse to do that much and be able to quicken up again down to the second last, he obviously has an engine.”

When asked about his absence since last year he added: “Things weren't straightforward. He's a difficult ride and things.

"He is getting there and hopefully he continues that way. Hopefully, he'll be on an upward curve.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson