Hector opens his account in the Nursery

Aidan O’Brien will be crowned champion Flat trainer for the 22nd consecutive year (and 23rd in total) at Naas next Saturday, and the Ballydoyle maestro moved onto the 98 winner mark for the current campaign as Hector De Maris justified favouritism in the Naas Nursery Handicap.

Seamie Heffernan had the easy-to-back 11/2 chance up with the pace throughout, and the son of Camelot kept on strongly to take control in the final 100 yards.

Runner-up at Leopardstown on his handicap debut a fortnight ago, Hector De Maris proved two and a half lengths too good for Dreams Delivered who could find no extra in the closing stages. True Artist was a further three quarters of a length back in third with Huddle Up keeping on one paced in fourth.

Heffernan said, “He’s a gorgeous big horse to sit on and he could have a future. There is plenty to like about him but he still has to improve plenty.”