Ash Rowe and JJ Slevin© Photo Healy Racing
Ash Rowe opened his account 'on the track' when scoring for father and son team Shay and JJ Slevin at Wexford.
The 16/1 shot travelled well into contention coming down the hill in the OceanFeed Equine Maiden Hurdle and kicked for home turning in. Blessed King gave chase in the closing stages but couldn't peg back the Milan gelding as he stuck on well for a length-and-a-half success.
The winner had recorded three wins in point-to-points and was contesting a maiden hurdle on his return to action having been placed in two handicap hurdles last Autumn.
"He was working well so we just thought a maiden hurdle at this time of the year wouldn't be that strong, and I thought he had each-way claims,” said Slevin senior.
“He won three point-to-points and he is not too bad. He probably wants three miles and he might go the novice hurdle route, we will see what the handicapper does.
“He'll jump a fence as well in time. The ground was as quick as he'd want it."
(Quotes by Donal Murphy)
