Biko and Maxine O'Sullivan lead rounding the home turn © Photo Healy Racing
The Maxine O'Sullivan-ridden 15/8 favourite Biko won the Toals Bookmakers (Ladies Pro/Am) Flat Race, leading three furlongs out before staying on well to defeat newcomer Winning Kate (9/2) by three and three quarter lengths.
Runner-up in a maiden hurdle at Clonmel on his last start for Gordon Elliott in February 2020, the Winged Love 7-year-old was making a winning start for trainer Pat Martin.
Martin commented: "His first ever run was a cracking run in Punchestown and he got bogged down then in heavy ground and kind of lost his way a bit. His last run was encouraging and then he got a good break.
"He has been training well - we took him to Navan about three weeks ago and he worked really nicely, and he has been good since that. We were expecting him to turn up today and Maxine (O'Sullivan) gave him a lovely ride and was always where she should be.
"I thought they went a good clip; it probably rode a nice enough race and we are not shocked that he won.
"I'd imagine he would go hurdling now. We'll see, we'll keep an open mind on it.
"It's great that he has won because he's home-bred (by owner Eamonn Duignan) and there's a few more on the farm so I'm delighted with that.
"I thought the second ran a lovely race and they picked up well. It's great to get it done and Maxine did a great job."
Quotes from Michael Graham
