Cheek-pieces help Ned to score

Ned Of The Hill appreciated the application of cheek-pieces for the first time in his jumping career when finding plenty for pressure for Robbie Moran to land the Irish Racing Post Maiden Hurdle.

The big chestnut had come up against the smart sorts Alaivan and Sounds Of Jupiter in his two previous efforts over timber and here he eventually led at the last before going on to account for market-leaders, Colleoni and Fully Funded

Martina Doran trains the four-year-old son of Hawk Wing in Co Wexford and she commented: "He is a bit of a trickster and the cheek-pieces helped him. Sometimes he concentrates and sometimes he doesn't.

"He is improving though, thanks be to God and he might go to Cheltenham for the Fred Winter. We'll see how he comes out of this first and whatever happens we'll mind him because he is still big and raw."