Rio rules in 'For Auction' Novice

Sizing Rio justified favouritism as he battled well to see off Ted Veale and take the Grade 3, 'For Auction' Novice Hurdle under Andrew Lynch for Henry De Bromhead.

The 4yo son of Heron Island was sent off the 4/5 favourite after impressively winning his maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse recently.

He led the field after the third flight and asserted before the second last.

He was ridden before the final flight and was pressed on the run-in by Ruby Walsh aboard Ted Veale, however he kept on well to score by a length and a half at the line.

The Tony Martin trained Ted Veale had to settle for second at 10/1 while Celtic Cailin ran a fine race to finish six lengths back in third at 20/1 under Andrew Leigh for Jessica Harrington.

Henry De Bromhead said afterwards: "That was good and I’m delighted with it. Andrew said that he was a bit hard to get around the bends in front.

"He is real galloping horse and the faster they go the better he is. He is a big raw 4yo and he is a real horse for the future and fences. We will give him a break now and probably bring him back for Leopardstown at Christmas.

"Hopefully there won’t be a problem with him going left handed there. He is not entered in the Royal Bond and I think he will be better on better ground."

Sean Graham’s have the winner at 25/1 for the Supreme Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham in March while Boylesports go 33/1.

(Additional reporting by Michael Graham)