Best start possible for favourite backers Best Behavior delivered convincingly after being heavily backed for the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle at Naas. The 10/11 favourite has a grand staying pedigree and he built on the promise of a good Leopardstown Christmas seventh placing to here defeat Itscatrionaschoice by four and a half lengths. Trained by Oliver McKiernan and owned by his family's Keep The Faith Syndicate, Best Behavior was never far away under Mark Walsh. The race was in the bag from before the last. "He's a staying type and the conditions suited him. Mark gave him a grand ride and thinks he'll probably be a better chaser than a hurdler. He should stay further," said McKiernan. "He'll have another couple of runs over hurdles and we'll see what the handicapper does. He's a soft ground horse." The Stewards fined John G. Carr, trainer, €350 for lodging a passport in respect of Fr Gilligansvoyge (GB), in which the vaccinations did not conform with the provisions of Rule 91. The Stewards allowed the horse to run on receipt of the trainer's written assurance that the vaccinations were in order. (AM & EM)
