Bentelimar scores as easy to back Abbot flops

After winning his bumper at Tramore on his last start, Bentelimar followed up in the Killarney Towers Maiden Hurdle, scoring under Brian O'Connell for Philip Fenton.

The lightly raced five-year-old son of Beneficial had his last run over flights back in February of 2013, and off the track for over a year after that, he only returned to action at Gowran in March.

Sent off a 6/1 chance this afternoon, the James Ryan owned gelding scored by a length and a half at the line, from Yes Sir Brian (10/1) back in second under John Cullen for Garrett Power, while Ellie Mia (9/2) was a further three parts of a length back in third under Eddie O'Connell for Jim Dreaper. Sir Abbot was easy to back on-course, and having opened at 7/4, he went off the 9/4 favourite, eventually finishing a disappointing sixth.

Philip Fenton said afterwards: "He is a lovely horse. He was a bit sloppy jumping.

"The ground is a bit on the slow side for him, he never really dropped the bit or relaxed.

"He missed most of the winter and he will be kept on the go now, he might have one more run before heading to Galway."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes