Andlau toughs it out to get off the mark

Andlau showed the benefit of his experience when gamely battling off Bran Castle by a length in the Kilkenny (Pro/Am) Flat Race. Padraig Roche did the steering in the familiar silks of Frank McNulty.

A French-bred, like his trainer, Matthieu Palussiere, the winning favourite looked like he was going to be caught inside the last but he found plenty under pressure when the need was greatest.

Palussiere commented: "That was well-deserved. He's been running consistently but I still feel we haven't seen the best of him yet. He will prefer better ground. We'll be patient with him before we go jumping with him.

"He might keep him going over the summer for those qualified rider races. The dam was a very good mare in France. She won lots of races and got black type. I'm delighted for the owners."