Smart performance from Lake on racecourse bow Hiddenvalley Lake put in a smart performance on his racecourse debut, taking the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden Hurdle under Rachael Blackmore. When trained by Marie Harding, he was carried out when looking set to score on his sole point-to-point start at Ballindenisk last December. Subsequently sold for 200,000 pounds and making his debut for Henry de Bromhead and Robcour this afternoon, the Sholokhov gelding was sent off a 5/2 chance. Always toward the head of affairs and in a definite lead from five out, he wasn't fluent at the second last. The chestnut victor got a flier at the final flight though and was ridden clear on the run-in, going to score by two-and-a-quarter lengths. The 11/8 favourite was Santonito and he ultimately had to settle for second under Jack Kennedy for Gordon Elliott, while Eabha Grace (9/2 to 10/3) was another a length away in third. "He's a fine horse and has been working well," de Bromhead revealed. "He looked like he'd win his point-to-point when he got carried out and in fairness Robert Acheson identified him. "He's green but is a grand horse and stays well. We'll keep finding out about him and I'm delighted that he's won there." Paddy Power go 25/1 (first show) about the winner for the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham in March. Additional reporting by Alan Magee
