McManus favourite wins Down Royal maiden

The J.P. McManus owned, Noel Meade trained De Name Escapes Me justified 7/4 favouritism to win the Tayto Group Maiden Hurdle at Down Royal today, for jockey Mark Walsh.

The Clonmel bumper winner had a clear passage through today's race and while he improved to lead before two out, eventual runner-up Space Cadet found a pocket at that point. In the end De Name Escapes Me found plenty on the run-in to gain a length win.

Afterwards Meade stated "he was very free last year in Punchestown but he probably gets two and a half miles alright.

"It was a funny race there with the horse falling (leader Round Tower at the fourth) but he won and couldn't do anymore.

"I think he's a nice horse and I'd have been disappointed if he had been beaten.

"He doesn't like it too quick. He'll improve a bit and I think a novice hurdle would be the plan."

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Michael Graham