Gorky survives stewards to open timber account

Maxim Gorky had to knuckle down on the run-in to open his hurdling account and give Davy Russell a quick double in the Gigginstown colours at Gowran Park.

The stewards had a look at the finish of the 2m2f maiden hurdle after the winner and eventual runner-up Too Scoops came close on the run-in.

Too Scoops had cut out the running before being joined by a smooth travelling Maxim Gorky at the second last.

The gamble of the race Thomas Edison (5/2 into 6/4 favourite) crashed out at the penultimate flight after creeping into contention.

Russell had to get to work on Noel Meade's charge approaching the final flight as the front-runner proved a difficult foe.

Maxim Gorky (supported from 11/2 into 4/1) got his head in front on the run-in but came across on his rival and had to survive a steward's enquiry before the neck verdict was confirmed.

It was compensation for the winner as he has fallen when in contention in a Cork maiden hurdle last month.

"I like this horse. He's very light and it's hard to get him to eat enough," revealed Meade afterwards.

"He has a great pedigree as he's by Montjeu out of a half-sister to Sea The Stars and Galileo.

"He cracked his pelvis in the middle of the winter so you won't see him too often and it might be a month to six weeks before he races again.

"I hope he holds on to this. If not we'll have to go for another maiden hurdle."

(On course reporting by Donal Murphy)