Excellent makes breakthrough for McNamara

The Andrew McNamara-trained Very Excellent gained a deserved success when running out a convincing winner of the Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale Maiden Hurdle at Bellewstown.

The Casamento gelding had been runner-up on three previous occasions but made no mistake today.

Bryan Cooper 's mount travelled well to lead after the third last and despite a slight error at the final flight the 16/5 shot galloped on strongly to record a eight-and-a-half length success over Top Line Tommy

“He's a lovely horse. He's been caught on the line three times, once on the Flat and twice over hurdles, so he's due a win,” said McNamara.

“He probably appreciated the better ground. He was second a couple of times on soft and heavy ground.

“We'll probably head on to Galway for a winners four-year-old race there.

“It suits well although I'm sure there will probably be a few pop up out of the woodwork, maybe horses that were in Cheltenham and things like that, but hopefully he'll have a shout going there.”