Eamonn Duignan, who saw his colours carried to success by Tawaagg in the opener at Gowran yesterday, was on the mark again courtesy of Johnny McGeeney who he also bred, in the first at Naas, the Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Maiden Hurdle.
Easy in the market having been put in at 15/8 this morning (touched 11/4 and returned at 5/2), Johnny McGeeney jumped and travelled well in the hands of Paul Townend and he got the better of Great Value (not fluent at the last) by four lengths. The well-backed favourite Serein (3/1 this morning into 7/4 - not fluent two out) had to settle for third.
Winning trainer Willie Mullins said: "He seems to be improving. Paul said he hated the ground and pure fitness won it for him and he had that extra gear too.
"I'll look for a winners of one for him in three or four weeks time now. The Fairyhouse Festival would be his chief aim this season."
