The Ger Lyons trained Tony The Gent overcame a slow start and a wide draw before making a taking winning debut in the opening Punchestown Betting At 188BET Maiden at Gowran today.

Jockey Colin Keane was forced to be patient on the son of Kodiac following his tardy start but make headway on the outer in the home straight. The pair finishing strongly and edged past Schubert near the line, for a head win.

Lyons later commented “he's a nice little horse and is named after Tony O'Callaghan (Tally Ho Stud) who we bought him off. Like a lot of ours he's been coming to himself slowly, and I thought he'd run well without ringing any bells.

"Colin said if he was drawn in among them that he would have won easily, and he's done well to win from stall 16. He's typical of his sire in that he's a good honest horse."

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Alan Magee