Steve makes winning start for Cromwell

Stuntman Steve edged a thriller in the Connolly's Red Mills Irish EBF Auction Maiden to make a winning start 'under rules'.

The Getaway gelding was making his first outing for Gavin Cromwell having won a point-to-point at Ballingarry in May, following five uncompleted starts between the flags.

In a slowly run affair Keith Donoghue moved up to join front-runner Romany Brown turning for home and the pair settled down to battle it out from the second last.

A better jump at the last gave Stuntman Steve the slight advantage and the 4/1 shot held it to the line, for a head success, as Romany Brown rallied after his mistake at the final flight.

Donoghue said:- "The final hurdle was the winning of the race and thankfully he came up for me.

“We have him six weeks and while he hadn't been away, we thought he was a nice horse so thought he'd go close.

"He had won a point to point but had more letters than numbers beside his name. Colin Bowe sent him up to us and it is good he won as there is plenty to build on.

"There is a great prize-money for these auction races and it is great for the owners, as some of them were unlucky with another horse we had."

(Quotes by Tom Weekes)