No catching Wave in Bellewstown opener

The Kevin Prendergast trained Catch A Wave sprang a 25/1 surprise in the opener at Bellewstown, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Auction Maiden.

Eighth and fifth on his first two starts, the son of Approve was sent straight to the front today, and he made all under Chris Hayes.

He was ridden with under two furlongs to race, and while his advantage was diminishing inside the final furlong, he had done enough to score by half a length. Ontheiflist (6/1) kept on well to take second under Ronan Whelan for Harry Rogers, while the easy to back Magnification (15/8 last night and returned 4's) was a length and a quarter back in third under Shane Foley for Ken Condon. Coppertone (Leigh Roche aboard for Patrick Prendergast) was sent off the 10/3 favourite (from 5's on-course) and he was another two and a quarter lengths away in fourth.

"He wasn't winning out of turn. I like him," said Hayes.

"He had a little operation since his day out at Navan as he was more interested in the fillies around him then than anything else.

"He probably needed the run the last day and when his chance had gone I eased up on him as he gave a big blow.

"The boss, in his wisdom, decided to come here and he was right.

"The plan wasn't to make the running but you get on the pace around here and don't look back."

The winner, who is owned by the On Target Too Syndicate, cost E27,000 as a yearling and he is a half-brother to three time winner Ibergman.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson