The Andy Slattery trained Volkis O’Blue rewarded connections with his first share of prizemoney when winning, on his 12th career start, the tramore-racecourse.com Handicap Hurdle at Tramore today.

Jockey Mike Darcy was at his strongest on the son of Rochesson who eventually saw off the challenge of Up The Girls on the run-in.

Afterwards Slattery said “it’s great to win and while he’s declared to run again tomorrow, I’m not sure whether or not he’ll run as maybe we have enough done with him.”

Slattery added “his owner Donie O’Connell is an All-Ireland hurling winner with Tipperary (1989 & 1991) and is just after getting a text from Nicky English (a former team-mate and hurling great) in Saigon congratulating him on his win!”