Tepalo makes the breakthrough over hurdles The odds-on 9/10 favourite Tepalo got it right on his fourth career start as he took the Strandhill Lodge & Suites 3m Maiden Hurdle for Tony Martin. The French bred 5yo son of Epalo finished second on his three efforts before today at Perth, Roscommon and Ballinrobe respectively. Stepped up to three miles for the first time this evening he duly obliged under Barry Geraghty. The Oliver Brady trained Katys Girl (4/1) hit the front at the third last and led the favourite into the straight. However Tepalo found more on the run-in when ridden and hit the front a furlong from home before staying on well to score by four and three parts of a length. Katys Girl has to settle for second under Matty Bowes while Macklycuddy was a further neck back in third at 20/1 for the double seeking duo of Pat and Tony Kelly. Winning trainer Tony Martin said afterwards: "Hopefully he will make a nice chaser in time. "He is a bit weak and backward at the moment but he will get a lot better. "He stays three miles and he’ll go on winter ground." The hurdle before the stands was omitted on each circuit due to the low lying sun. (On-course reporting by Alan Magee)
