English Pale defied top weight to win the opening Vaughanshoes.ie Clarks Claiming Maiden at Ballinrobe today and in the process showed sufficient ability to earn a ‘friendly claim' from his trainer Jessica Harrington.

Ridden by Colm O’Donoghue, the son of Elusive Pimpernel was pushed along for much of the race but in the end responded well to O’Donoghue’s urgings to score a four and a half lengths win over Lady Argentum

Afterwards O’Donoghue “he did it well and quickened up very well two furlongs out.

“He is still a bit of a baby and physically he can get a bit stronger but he loved the ground and will get further.

“The penny hasn’t dropped with him yet but places like this are great for horses like him as it teaches them and they learn a lot. You’d be happy with him today.”

Harrington wasn’t present but was responsible for the ‘winning’ claim, of E25,000.

By Tom Weekes