Best Value and Danny Mullins jump the last © Photo Healy Racing
Best Value sprang a 20/1 shock when running out the easy winner of the Paulstown Maiden Hurdle at Gowran Park.
Danny Mullins took over after the fourth last on Tom Nagle's charge and he galloped on strongly down the straight to prove too strong for his rivals.
He had been strongly pressed three from home by Golden Wonder and Ratheniska Those two cried enough before the second last as Drumfire tried to throw down a challenge.
That rival couldn't live with the winner, however, who went clear approaching the last and was eased down in the closing stages for a six length success.
The winner was returning to hurdles having run a fair race when fifth on the level here back in April.
His starting price looked big in hindsight as he had a runner-up effort over timber to his name at Limerick last year and hadn't been beaten that far when fourth at Cork in March.
Nagle revealed he had a hunch that the quicker conditions would suit today:- “The dam had some form on fast ground and I thought the ground might suit him.
“Danny gave him a great ride and seems to be riding with a lot of confidence at the moment.
“I thought he had too high of a rating to win a handicap so I don't know what kind of mark he's going to give him now.” Champagne Agent sent off 11/4 favourite, was beaten four from home and finished sixth while Ratheniska, who was well supported this morning into 2/1 but returned 9/2 on course, folded tamely after challenging three out and was pulled up quickly after the second last.
(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)
