Park Ranger was the only horse punters wanted to know about in the opening Athleague Maiden Hurdle at Roscommon this evening, with the son of High Chaparral going off the 8/15fav.
However things didn't go to plan as the second reserve Carlingford Lough for trainer John Kiely and jockey Mark Walsh got the better of the odds-on shot after a battle up the home straight by three parts of a length at the line.
Sent off the 7/1 joint second favourite the winning son of King's Theatre had just one run to his name before today, that coming over the course and distance last month, when he finish a respectable fifth, just over twelve lengths behind Hired Hand.
The other 7/1 joint second favourite Abarta completed the placings a further nine lengths back in third, for trainer Val O’Brien.
The dam of the winner Baden, was a decent mare for the late Paddy Mullins in the early nineties winning five, including a Grade 2 handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse.
Winning trainer John Kiely said afterwards: "He ran a lovely race on his debut and it brought him on a good bit. Hopefully we will find something for him now before long.
"He is by the right stallion and it's a pity he is gone (King's Theatre, who died just last month)."
