Our Boy Wes (nearest) comes with his challenge under Donagh Meyler© Photo Healy Racing
Our Boy Wes made the perfect start to his hurdling career, taking the opener at Ballinrobe, the JJ Burke Peugeot 3YO Maiden Hurdle.
Without a win from six starts on the level, the Emmet Mullins-trained chestnut was last seen finishing fifth of 16 behind Sign From Above at Galway.
Sent off the 2/1 favourite this evening, the Paul Byrne-owned victor was settled behind the leaders by Donagh Meyler.
Not fluent at times, he came with his challenge before the last and was soon ridden to the front, keeping on well inside the final furlong, coming home three-lengths to the good.
Outsider Annie Agnew (40/1) ran a fine race to finish second under Simon Torrens for Gerald Quinn, while Doctor Nightingale was another three-and-a-quarter lengths back in third, with Ricky Doyle replacing Jack Kennedy on this Gordon Elliott trained 5/2 chance.
"He's a nice horse. He took his time to get his confidence there with his jumping, but he got into a rhythm late on," Mullins commented.
"He appreciates a bit of nicer ground, the ground went against him in Galway, and he showed his liking for it there today.
"He stays well, so a trip and a bit of nice ground and he should collect a few more races.
"He'll mix it and he'll be a fun horse, a good dual-purpose horse."
Donagh Meyler added: "Sean Flanagan was alongside me at the start and said that you're on a massive horse, so hopefully he can improve further and there should be more to come."
Out of three-time Flat victor Windi Citi, the winner was previously trained by John Kinsella.
STEWARDS REPORT
The Raceday Stewards received a report from Ms. T. O'Meara, Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Clerk of the Scales, regarding the fact that R.A Doyle, rider of Doctor Nightingale, weighed in 2lbs overweight. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. In his evidence R.A. Doyle stated that he was surprised that he weighed in 2lbs heavy and could not account for the extra weight but he accepted that he was in breach of Rule 231. Having considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that R.A Doyle was in breach of Rule 231(iii) and having considered his record, they suspended him for one raceday.
Additional reporting by Mark Nunan
