Doc Sportello a tonic for punters at Tipp

Doc Sportello showed the benefit of his debut at the Curragh on the opening day of the turf season when taking the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden in convincing fashion at Tipperary.

The drop back from six furlongs to the minimum trip proved no problem for the 9/4 (from 11/4) favourite, and Oisin Orr’s mount was just pushed out to assert after striking the front a furlong out.

The son of Majestic Missile had two lengths to spare over High Speed with Midst keeping on nicely a further half-length back in third. Repatriated (4/1) was well-backed on debut and showed plenty of speed before fading from over a furlong out to finish fourth.

Winning trainer Eddie Lynam said, "He had a nice run first time out and we were hopeful, rather than confident, coming here.

"We'll look for a handicap next and it's nice to get those colours back as they've been lucky for us over the years and it's nice to win another race for Mr Ryan (Shane, owner of Kilboy Estate)."

(TW & AM)