Gilligan/Russell win Kilbeggan's opener

Trainer Paul Gilligan landed the opening Kilbeggan Maiden Hurdle at that venue today, scoring with 10/1 chance Mindsmadeup under jockey Davy Russell.

Russell moved the son of Golden Tornado to the front before the second last flight and in the end the pair proved five lengths too strong for 4/9 favourite Black Ace

Gilligan later commented “I made a chronic mistake running him in the winners bumper last time. I thought the owner was going back to Dubai and would want to see him run. It was a mistake on my behalf,” said Gilligan.

“If he had soft ground he would have been a lot closer last time. He previous run at Galway was brilliant and at Sligo first time he had a good run but missed the last three flights.

“That ground is still too good for him. He wants it softer and is a winter horse.

“He's tough. We'll take our time with him as I think he's a nice horse and Davy liked him a lot.”

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson