Roche & McGarvey on the mark with Alexei

Alexei Vronsky made the breakthrough on his third start over flights, as he took the Ballymore Group 3yo Hurdle.

A winner on the level at Roscommon in June for Michael O'Callaghan, the son of Power changed hands for £15,000 at Tattersalls in August.

Fourth and sixth on his first two starts for Padraig Roche, the bay gelding was sent off a 10/3 chance this afternoon.

Never far off the pace under Jody McGarvey, he was sent to the front from the second last and kept on well when ridden from the final flight, going on to prevail by a length and three parts.

The well-backed Loved Out (5/4f from 4 in early shows) ran a funny sort of race and ultimately had to settle for second under David Mullins for his father Tom.

The front pair were four and a half lengths in front of Peckham Springs (9/4) in third.

Roche, who trains the winner of the Premier Treaty Syndicate, said: "It probably wasn't the best race on paper but I'm delighted.

"Leigh Roche recommended that we buy him out of Michael O'Callaghan's. He's a fine horse and it's great to get the win out of him.

"He stays well and handled that ground. He won in Roscommon on good ground so he should be versatile."

STEWARDS REPORT

At the request of the Stewards, A.W. Short, rider of Movie King trained by A.J.Martin, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount jumped moderate early on, got very tired at the last flight and his run petered out in the straight.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee