Masterson rules in Naas opener

First-time blinkers helped Bat Masterson (13/2) gain an overdue maiden win in the opening Paddy Power Cheltenham Trial Sunday 26th February Maiden Hurdle, winning for trainer Noel Meade and jockey Davy Condon.

The son of Alhaarth looked a different proposition in blinkers, making all before readily holding the challenge of Midnight Oil by four and three parts of a length, with eyecatcher Time To Work finishing well in third.

Afterwards Meade stated “when Bat Masterson ran at Limerick, Paul (Carberry, jockey) said that the horse thought that he was going to sink on the heavy ground – he’s only a small horse. After that we gave him a bit of a break.

“Blinkers helped today and he stays really well. We’ll see what rating he gets and find something else for him before the end of the season. I would say there is a Flat race in him as well.”