Cathal gives Doran a home winner

They might have come out on the wrong side of a tight finish to the opener, but Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy were soon back in the winning groove when Carrig Cathal (8/1) landed the McHale F5500 Baler Maiden Hurdle for Mayo native Tom Doran at Ballinrobe.

Never far away, Carrig Cathal, a points scorer for Robert Widger and the Roches from Tramore, made a couple of slight mistakes.

However, the son of Fair Mix took over entering the straight, he asserted from before the last, and kept on strongly to beat the well-backed favourite, Bright Tomorrow by twelve lengths.

"He was a bit disappointing in his bumper at Kilbeggan but I'd say the track didn't suit him there. It's grand for Jack, it's his first winner as a professional. This fella will keep going for the summer," said Elliott.

D.N. Russell, rider of Elusive Theatre trained by S.R.B. Crawford, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount did not handle the ground.

P.T. Enright, rider of Boru Aru trained by Edward Cawley, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount was pulled up when making a respiratory noise during this race.

(DM & EM)