Hickey off the mark with Highflying

Curragh trainer Paul Hickey saddled his first winner when Highflying made a successful return to action in the mile-and-a-half maiden at Listowel.

The former Ballydoyle inmate was making his first start since last October but proved strongest in the finish. Pageboy available at 2/1 this morning and sent off 4/5 favourite, appeared set for victory when taking over entering the straight.

Kevin Manning got a good tune from 14/1 shot Highflying, however, and he started to looked a danger over a furlong out.

The well-bred son of Galileo headed his rival just inside the final furlong and kept on for a length-and-three-quarters success.

The runners finished well strung out in the ground with a 21-length gap back to third-placed Zalantoun and a further 34-lengths to Place Vendome in fourth.

The winner had shown ability on two starts for Aidan O'Brien last year.

Hickey only took out his licence last season and has had only had a handful of runners before today.

“That's my first winner and I'm delighted. It's a monkey off my back,” said Hickey.

“I've had the licence nearly a year now but I've only had five individual runners. I've three two-year-olds and they've all been in the frame.

“I have to give special mention to my brother Michael who put a lot of work into this horse over the winter.”

The winner is owned by the handler's mother Sheila and his father Michael Hickey owns Sunnyhill Stud, which is famous for standing Old Vic as well as breeding Kicking King.

(On course reporting by Alan Magee)