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Deauville takes the opener at Listowel

Deauville is driven out by Seamie HeffernanDeauville is driven out by Seamie Heffernan
© Photo Healy Racing

Deauville justified favouritism in the opener at Listowel, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden, scoring on debut under Seamie Heffernan for Aidan O'Brien.

The son of Galileo is a full-brother to four time winner The Corsican and he holds entries in the Railway Stakes and the National Stakes along with the 2016 Epsom Derby.

Available at 2/1 last night he opened on-course at 11/8, touching 5/4, before going off the clear 6/4 favourite.

Drawn on the rail he broke well and soon disputed the lead before getting to the front over four furlongs out.

He was ridden a furlong and a half from home and kept on well inside the final furlong to score by two lengths. Hoppala (4/1) finished second under Pat Smullen for Dermot Weld while Leath Na Hoibre (8/1) was a further length and a quarter back in third under Kevin Manning for Brendan Duke.

Seamie Heffernan said afterwards: "It was easy to like him and he was pretty professional although was a little green under pressure.

"I'd call the ground soft (as opposed to the official 'heavy') but the winning rider always thinks that and he handled it well."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes

1st
6/4Fav
Tote €2.60 €1.10
2nd
2L
4/1
€1.40
3rd
1.25L
8/1
€1.80
4th
2.75L
10/1
About Donal Murphy
Donal graduated from Maynooth University in 2010 with a BBS in Equine Business and since attained a diploma in Sports Journalism from Dublin Business School. He holds a variety of roles in the horse racing industry, reporting for the Press Association and p2p.ie, while also working for SIS and the Tote. From Wexford, he is a keen runner and has completed over 100 parkruns at various locations around the country.