First time blinkers work a treat on Definite

Wearing blinkers for the first time the Edward O’Grady trained Definite Ridge sprang a 20/1 surprise in the Boy Named Sue Raceday Maiden Hurdle.

Ridden by Niall Madden the 5yo son of Definite Article was held up early on before moving into seventh at the halfway stage.

He was a closer fourth at the third last and he then responded well when ridden to lead at the last and stayed on well on the run-in to score convincingly by nine lengths. King Malik finished second at 11/2 under Ben Dalton for Mouse Morris while Katys Girl was a further four and a half lengths back in third under Mattie Bowes for Oliver Brady at 9/2.

The Gordon Elliott trained, Davy Condon ridden 4/5 favourite Bondage ran a flat race and could only manage fourth.

Winning trainer Edward O'Grady said afterwards: "I really want to run him in the next race but his owner Donal O'Connor has another horse in that (Craigs Dream).

"I was hoping he would run well as I tried the blinkers on him and they seemed to improve him.

"I was disappointed the rain came but he still won well. I always thought he had ability but it’s all about transferring that ability onto the track."

(On-course reporting by Michael Graham)