Better from Bob in Down Royal opener

After finishing second on his last four starts Better Back Bob finally got off the mark over flights as he took the opening Eventsec Maiden Hurdle at Down Royal this afternoon.

The Neil McKnight trained eight-year-old had his last four runs at Downpatrick and moved to Down Royal today he was sent off at 5/1 (6/1 this morning and from 11/2 on-course).

Settled behind the leaders by Graham Watters he was ridden in fourth before the third last.

He improved into second after two out and led before the last (where Watters lost his whip), keeping on well on the run-in to score by three and a half lengths. Champoleon who was sent off the 7/4 favourite, had to settle for second under Paul Carberry for Noel Meade while Flinders River (20/1), also for Meade, ran a cracker to finish third under Ger Fox after making a bad mistake at the second last.

McKnight, who trains locally near Banbridge, said afterwards: "That was well-deserved. It was unfortunate Robbie (Colgan) wasn't on him.

"Graham gave him a great ride and he took the weight off. He missed a few, he's better jumping a fence than a hurdle. He jumps fences for fun.

"I might give him a wee break now to the Spring time as he's been busy and he takes a lot out of himself. He'll go over fences next."

Graham Watters added: "I won two point-to-points on him. I used to do work riding him. He's not the easiest horse to train as he sweats up. He didn't jump as well today. Things are going good in Scotland (based with Lucinda Russell)."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham