Trainer Edward O'Grady and jockey Barry Geraghty combined to win the opening Launch Of The August Racing Festival 15th to 18th Maiden Hurdle at Tramore today with the well backed Banana Flambe (5/1 – 7/2).

Favourite Star For Life fell at halfway in the race with Geraghty moving Banana Flambe to the front after three out. Tangolan moved to challenge at the final flight but Geraghty kept Banana Flambe going on the run-in.

Afterwards O'Grady said “he'll make a nice chaser and I think it's one of Darsi's first winners as a stallion.”

The winner carried the colours of Arthur Quinlan, whose father Harold Quinlan previously had the same colours and won both Pretty Polly & Athasi Stakes in 1954.

By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Donal Murphy.