Eklat opens 'track' account in style

Eklat De Rire produced a powerful front-running performance to land the INH Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle at Thurles in good style.

The Henry de Bromhead-trained gelding was sent to post a 6/5 shot for the contest, run over just shy over two-miles-and-seven furlongs.

Rachael Blackmore bounced out in front on her mount and the Saddex gelding had his rivals at work before the home straight. All About Joe stayed on to give chase going to the final flight but never looked like pegging back the front-runner who only had to be shaken up briefly on the run-in for a cosy six length success.

The winner had chased home Foxy Jacks on his 'track' debut at Punchestown last month having cost £110,000 after landing a point-to-point at Dromahane last November.

Blackmore said afterwards:- "It was a very nice performance. He came on a lot from his run the last day and he is a really nice horse going forward.

“He missed one or two the last day but was foot perfect today and he is a horse with a nice future."

It was a double on the day for the absent de Bromhead who has also struck with Kavanaghs Corner

(Quotes by Tom Weekes)