Treasure Chest lands Kilbeggan bounty

Joseph O'Brien's Treasure Chest was absolutely friendless with punters but that didn't deter him from plundering the spoils in the two mile maiden hurdle at Kilbeggan. Tiger Track raced over 10 lengths clear of the field approaching two out but the pace told on him as he was swallowed up by Treasure Chest and Denham Sound on the bend before the final flight.

Treasure Chest and Shane Shortall took a narrow lead into the last hurdle and outgunned Denham Sound on the run-in to post a two and a half length victory at 10/1.

He was a massive drifter from 9/4 in the morning and then from an opening show of 8/1.

Denham Sound was a solid 7/2 chance. There was an 11-length gap back to third-placed Chasing Yesterday (20/1).

Frank Berry, racing manger for owner JP McManus, said: “He stuck at it well and his jumping got better as the race went on. The bit of rain was a help and hopefully we’ll find a handicap for him.”

The going changed from good to good to yielding before this first race on the card.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee