Potter takes advantage to win incident packed maiden

Roaring Potter was perhaps a somewhat fortunate winner of the Early Fathers Day Celebrations Opportunity Maiden Hurdle at Downpatrick.

The long odds on favourite was a remote third but still travelling within himself when leader Glendaars Mahler exited at the second last. The latter had still to be asked a question when just stepping at the flight and coming down. She Is A Contender had been clear along with Glendaars Mahler for much of the race but was already beginning to weaken at that stage. Shane Fitzgerald quickly moved alongside on the eventual winner before forging ahead to win easily.

It is difficult to say what the outcome would have been had Glendaars Mahler stayed on her feet.

Stable representative Lisa O'Neill said: "Shane (Fitzgerald was going to jump off good and positive with him. He felt like there was a big injection of pace so he was happy to sit off that. It worked out really well and there seemed to be a bit of a pace collapse.

"I actually thought that he would get the win on the board before now, but it is lovely that he was able to come here and justify the ability we thought he had. He can improve from that.

"It's lovely for Caldwell Construction and they have Pied Piper to look forward to next week (in the Ascot Stakes)."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham