Russell the Star on Power

Star Power justified odds-on favouritism as he took the www.kilkennypembrokehotel.com Maiden Hurdle, scoring under Davy Russell for trainer Des McDonogh.

This son of Galileo won four times on the flat when trained by Jim Bolger (still owned by his wife Jackie) and he ran well on his debut for McDonogh finishing second on his first start over flights at Punchestown last month.

He was a bit disappointing on his next outing again at the Co Kildare venue, finishing fifth, but he was well-fancied to get off the mark over hurdles this afternoon, opening on-course at 5/4 before going off the 10/11 favourite.

Having raced mainly in fifth he improved into third after the fourth last and was ridden to challenge in second on the approach to the last.

Under a strong Russell drive he got to the front on the run-in and he kept on well in the closing stages to score by a length at the line. Padraig's Joy ran a big race to finished second at 33/1 under Sean Flanagan for Harry Kelly, while Mystic Lass was fifteen lengths back in third under Adrian Heskin for Des Kenneally also at 33/1.

Des McDonogh said afterwards: "The ground made a big difference. Some people felt he was a bit disappointing at Punchestown but on the far side the ground was a bit sticky and he jumped much better today on that ground.

"He is a grand horse to have and I'm sure like a lot of them that he will probably be heading to Galway."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee