Trainer Gordon Elliott and jockey Jack Kennedy combined to win Leopardstown's opening Donohoe Marquees Maiden Hurdle today, with the Brendan Scully-owned Ballykeel

Place in two point-to-points, the Presenting-sired gelding stepped forward from a fifth-placing at Naas in January when today out-battling Chiricahua on the run-in, for a length and a quarter success.

Afterwards Elliott reported “he had a nice run the first day and we thought he'd come on a nice bit from it.

“He did it well and he'll jump a fence too in time. He was gutsy as he had every chance to back out of it if he wanted.”

Quotes from Gary Carson