Wouldn't You Agree it's a nice birthday present

Wouldn’t You Agree sprang a 16/1 surprise in the John B. Keane (C & G) Maiden Hurdle (DIV I).

The 8/13 favourite The Little Yank put in a great round of jumping up front as he tried to break his maiden over hurdles at the nineteenth attempt, but he was worn down on the run-in by Mark McDonagh’s mount.

The 7-year-old by Fame And Glory, runner-up in a point-to-point in 2019, was making his first appearance under Rules and is owned by the winning rider’s father.

Winning trainer Eoin Griffin said: "He's not with me that long, about six weeks or two months and came out of Enda Bolger's. I'm delighted to have him and he is a lovely horse who showed a bit of form in point-to-points.

"With the way the ballot situation is at the moment, we entered him up thinking he'd be balloted out but he got in, and thought two miles might be a little short for him.

"I told Mark to be positive on him and he was very professional and with a step up in trip there might be more to come.

"He'll go for the summer and there is a 2m4f novice at the Galway festival for him and he'll improve for the run.

"It is Mark's 20th birthday today and his Mam is here as an owner today so they're delighted."

Quotes from Thomas Weekes