Highway Royal makes most in opener

A change in tactics to force the pace proved fruitful as Highway Royal took the opening Martinstown Opportunity Maiden Hurdle at Ballinrobe.

The Oscar gelding made virtually all the running under Conor Brassil, and kept on best on the run-in to score by two lengths. Is She Diesel was also up with the pace throughout and kept on to take second spot, with 15/8 favourite holding every chance another length and a half back in third.

The Stephen Mahon-trained 10/1 winner was available at double those odds in the morning, while Solar Heat was on the heels of the leaders when falling at the last.

The final hurdle was situated a bit further out than normal just before the home turn.

Mahon said, "He is a nice little horse. He ended up further back than ideal at Galway last time but came home well when he was still green.

"He is light and needs time and I'm delighted for Paul (Mannion), who is originally from Galway but is based in England and has five horse with me."

(TW & AM)