Wonleg (far side) just leads Saint Le Fort over the last© Photo Healy Racing
Very few got involved in the opening Guinness Maiden Hurdle, with the Henry de Bromhead-trained Wonleg eventually coming out on top under Darragh O'Keeffe.
Fifth on his sole start for Pat Doyle in a Ballindenisk point-to-point, the Order Of St George bay was sent off a 15/2 chance (from 14s early) this afternoon.
Settled well behind the leaders in fourth, he made gradual inroads from early in the straight, gaining a narrow advantage before the final flight.
While not fluent there, he found plenty for pressure on the run-in and came home a length and three quarters to the good in the colours of the Herding Cats Partnership.
Returned at 9/4, Saint Le Fort had to settle for second, while the frustrating In The Trenches (13/8f) was another six lengths away in third.
"We're delighted with that. He had done a few nice bits of work at home," Robbie Power, representing de Bromhead, commented.
"They went very hard in the race, it was a bit surprising the speed they went. Darragh got into a lovely rhythm on him and he jumped really well. He crept away and snuck into it lovely.
"He was a bit green when he got to the front but it was a nice performance first time up. Hopefully there is plenty to look forward to.
"He had the one run in the spring and has been doing things nicely at home."
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
