Politicise team eye Ballybrit campaign

Ado McGuinness' Politicise ran away from his rivals to take division one of the colts and gelding maiden hurdle in Kilbeggan in good style.

Darragh O'Keeffe 's mount was never far from the pace and shot past the leader Dakota Beat before the home turn.

He was ridden clear coming to the ninth and final flight and popped it well to stride away by five lengths at 3/1.

Dakota Beat, the 6/5 favourite, had no answers once passed and finished second. He was three and a half lengths clear of Khanmurjan (4/1).

Assistant trainer Stephen Thorne said: “He's owned in partnership by Dooley Thoroughbreds and my own syndicate Shamrock Thoroughbreds. I've got family and friends involved, so it was very important to get him across the line.

“We bought him last July, and paid a few quid for him. Overall we're delighted, we thought he'd make up into a nice dual-purpose horse.

“He's a light-framed horse and probably hasn't filled into himself until now. Our apprentice Stephen Mooney gave him a lovely ride in the Apprentice Derby on the Flat.

“This will open up lovely options for him now in Galway. He's tailor-made for a handicap hurdle down there and maybe a Flat handicap as well. We're looking forward to it.

“It's a tight turning track like here and I think he'll be well suited to it. He's learning all the time.

“Darragh gave him a lovely ride and the ground was ideal for him, nice good ground is what he wants.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson