Joseph O'Brien struck with a couple of sons of hot young stallion No Nay Never at Dundalk last night. Those were over seven furlongs but it all comes alike to the Carriganog Racing team with their Vinnie The Hoddie taking the two and a half mile maiden hurdle at Gowran today.

This Connolly's RED MILLS Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle lost some of its interest with the defection of Felix Desjy, but Vinnie The Hoddie ran out a good winner under Mark Walsh nonetheless.

A well backed 15/8 shot (from 11/4), the pace-setter asserted from between the final two flights to put eight lengths between himself and favourite Macgiloney

"He did it well. It was his first time on that ground. When I rode him the last day I thought he wanted that ground and further," stated Walsh.

"Myself and Joseph had a chat and said if nothing wanted to go on we'd let him go on and he loved it. He was a little bit green early but the further he was going the better he was going.

"He'll get further and he'll jump a fence in time too."

Vinnie The Hoddie is a brother to Royal Caviar, last seen in action when fourth in the 2017 Arkle behind Altior at Cheltenham.

(GC & EM)