Le Coq Hardi and Mike O'Connor© Photo Healy Racing
With a big field going to post the Ballygowan Opportunity Maiden Hurdle at Down Royal was always going to take plenty of watching. There was certainly plenty going on late in the day in the two mile one furlong event, with 5/2 favourite Le Coq Hardi eventually coming out on top. Old Port shaped well until crashing out two out. His jockey Philip Byrnes was thankfully reported to be up okay following the spill, his partner most unfortunately not so.
In the hands of Mike O'Connor, Henry de Bromhead's winner then had a good look at the last. That didn't ultimately impede him from registering a five and a half length win from Pahlavi
Stable representative Robbie Power said: "He's a nice horse, a horse to look forward to for the summer.
"He loves that good ground, he definitely appreciated the nicer ground.
"He was still very green in the run. Mikey gave him a lovely ride, got a good run up the inside.
"There's plenty to look forward to, we will look for a winners' of one somewhere and see where we go from there.
"You would (imagine there is plenty of improvement coming off the layoff), and he was very green when he was left in front two out.
"Great for the owners and a good start to the new season.
"Mikey said it is proper good ground and we will stick to nice ground with him."
P.K. Donovan, rider of Edge Of Darkness trained by Denis Gerard Hogan, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount jumped very green and was hampered by the faller.
C.G. O'Dwyer, rider of Kartel And Co (FR), trained by P.J. Rothwell, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount never travelled and jumped poorly.
S. O'Callaghan, rider of Ballinearla Girl trained by Eoin Doyle, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount hung left early on and was outpaced throughout.
(MG & EM)
