Gorgeous Tom (nearest) and Special Cadeau jump the last together© Photo Healy Racing
After filling the runner-up spot on three of his five previous starts, the well-backed Gorgeous Tom (11/10f from 5/2 early) deservedly made the breakthrough in the opener at Naas this afternoon, the Book Your Summer Season BBQ Packages At Naas Racecourse Maiden Hurdle.
Previously trained by Garrett Ahern and now in the care of Henry de Bromhead, the Champs Elysees bay was settled behind the leaders by Darragh O'Keeffe and was poised to challenge in third on the approach to the straight.
Angled out before the penultimate hurdle, he joined Special Cadeau at the last and outstayed that rival on the run-in, with a length-and-three-quarters between them at the line.
The Willie Mullins-trained runner-up was returned a 5/1 chance, while The Busy Fool (11/2) was 13-lengths back in third.
The easy-to-back Jasko Des Dames (5/2 from 11/10 early), also trained by de Bromhead, finished fifth under Rachael Blackmore.
"He deserved that, he had a lot of good runs," de Bromhead said of the Envirogreen Housing Services Ltd owned victor.
"He battled it out in the end and we hope he'll be better on better ground. I think a step up in trip will suit him on nicer ground as well.
"He toughed it out, he probably isn't the quickest horse around and he just stayed on at the end.
"He'll definitely go to Punchestown and then we'll see, he's ultimately going chasing in time.
"He's rated 123 and we could maybe go for a handicap at Punchestown but we'll see nearer the time."
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
