Giant's gamble comes in

The well supported favourite Giant's Quest (5/2 this morning in 5/6 favourite at the off) took the Paddy Smyth Memorial Maiden, the first on the card at Ballinrobe.

Trained by Dermot Kelly and ridden by Pat Smullen, (who was recording his third winner in a row, having won the last two at the Curragh yesterday) the son of Giant's Causeway was having his first start under flat rules here, having run in four bumpers before today.

Having finished second on his first two starts, he then disappointed at Punchestown, before bouncing back to form on his last start, when winning a bumper at Cork in May.

Donatis Comet, who has since won three bumpers, and Minella Humour who won one, were both behind him at Cork, so the form of that race has worked out well.

The 5yo winner led five furlongs out having tracked the leader early on. He was then joined by Clarach three furlongs out, before hitting the front again a furlong from home.

He asserted under pressure from there and stayed on well to win by four lengths from Moymore Lad at 14/1 back in second.

Winning trainer Dermot Kelly said afterwards: "He did what we thought he would do. He is a nice horse and he probably didn't like the track, as he needs more of a galloping track.

"He is a better class than what he was up against here and the form of his bumper win has worked out well.

"We will stick him in a handicap on the level next and see what mark the handicapper will give him.

"I don't think Galway would suit him, he might go to Leopardstown or the Curragh next.

"He is a nice horse to go hurdling with later in the year as he is 16.2hh and has plenty of scope.

After the race the stewards handed down a five day suspension to Danny Mullins, rider of Clarach.

Mullins was found to be in breach of Rule 212, failure to obtain your best possible position, after he dropped his hands close home losing second on the 2/1 shot Clarach.

Donal Murphy