Retribution opens account in style

Retribution showed the benefit of his hurdle debut here a fortnight ago by readily landing the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden Hurdle at Clonmel.

The Iffraaj gelding was a cheap purchase at the Horses In Training Sale in Newmarket last autumn, and made a promising start for current connections when fourth to stable-companion Rakhine State here over two miles.

The step up to 2m3f proved no problem as the 8/1 chance reeled in the front-running odds-on favourite Edelpour entering the straight before cruising clear under Keith Donoghue after the penultimate flight.

Gordon Elliott ’s charge came home a facile 15 lengths clear of Edelpour, with Summer Hill a further length and a quarter back in third.

Donoghue said, "I was afraid leaving the favourite go as he is a decent horse with a high rating but my lad did it well and improved a lot from the last day and jumped well today.

"I was fairly confident coming down the hill I would get there and I thought after the last day that he would stay well. He is definitely one to look forward to during the summer."

(TW & AM)