Magnolia sheds his maiden tag in style

Magnolia Ridge justified odds-on favouritism as he ran out an easy winner of the last at Tipperary, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden. Just five lined up for the mile and a half contest, with Pink Coat an early non-runner and Ardkilly Acclaim withdrawn at the start for refusing to load. The Dermot Weld trained victor was 11/10 this morning with Paddy Power, but he opened on-course at just 8/11 before going off the 8/13 favourite. Running for the fifth time today, the son of Galileo was stepped up in trip after finishing third to Great Explorer on his last start at Fairyhouse. The Anne Coughlan owned three-year-old raced in second for much of the contest before hitting the front entering the straight. He asserted over a furlong out and he kept on well from there to come home an easy five and a half lengths to the good. The Aidan O’Brien trained newcomer Army Ranger finished second under Seamie Heffernan at 15/8. Pat Smullen said afterwards: “The step up in trip was a big help. He was staying on the last day at Fairyhouse and he was entitled to win this average maiden off his rating." Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes