Brook stays on best to open account Hasty Brook, trained by Joseph O'Brien for his sister Sarah, stayed on best to land the spoils in the Monroe Maiden Hurdle as testing conditions took it's toll on the field at Clonmel. 4/5 Gorki D'airy took them along in the two-miler but was headed three from home by Hasty Brook, as he took a narrow advantage. There were three almost in a line going down to the second last where Hasty Brook was untidy and slightly hampered Gorki D'airy, who had just cried enough in third, as Mahons Glory disputed. JJ Slevin drove Hasty Brook into the lead before the last and the Saddex gelding galloped on dourly in the closing stages to post an eight-length success over Mahons Glory. The 12/1 winner was third on his debut in a Punchestown bumper in March but had been well held when last seen at Thurles later that month. Assistant Brendan Powell said afterwards:- "The winner of his first bumper run came out and won a Grade 1 hurdle and the next time it was yielding ground. "Today JJ said going to the start, that he could tell he was loving that ground. He is French-bred which helps on that ground, although my brother is a computer expert and it doesn't make me one! "He jumps, gallops and stays and will stay farther. How good a race it was I don't know but he'll improve for it and was having a good blow. The ground is probably a key thing to him and it is nice for Sarah." (Quotes by Tom Weekes)
