Indian justifies favouritism in Ballinrobe opener

Plains Indian justified plenty of market support, as he ran out a comfortable winner of the opener at Ballinrobe this evening, the McHale Pro Glide Hurdle.

Trained by Andy Slattery, the six-year-old disappointed when sent off favourite on his handicap debut at Cork over Easter, finishing third on his most recent start at Clonmel.

Available at 10/3 in early shows, he eventually went off the 15/8 favourite under seven-pound claimer Cian Quirke for owner/breeder Eithne Thompson.

Settled in second on the inner, he dropped to third from three out and soon found himself caught in a pocket behind the leaders.

His young rider showed good composure though and waited for a gap to arrive. The desired opening came after the last and he was ridden to the front inside the final furlong, keeping on well to score by four-lengths. Supreme Jet (2/1), who attempted to make all, had to settle for second under Jack Foley for Oliver McKiernan, while Hope Des Blins was another two-and-a-half lengths back in third.

"We thought he should have won in Clonmel but he was stuck out a bit wide the whole way," Slattery said.

"He's won two now and we're hoping that he might be a horse for Galway. Maybe we'll find a little novice hurdle for him there. He works like a real good horse.

"We'll probably mix it on the Flat too, if the ground stays right. That ground would be as quick as he'd want it."

Additional reporting by Mark Nunan