John F Kennedy can't cope with Fame

The much hyped John F Kennedy had to settle for second on his debut as Hall Of Fame (first time tongue strap) ran out a good winner of the opener at Leopardstown this evening, the Frank Conroy EBF 2yo Maiden.

The Jim Bolger trained winner, who is a full-brother to stable mate Parish Hall, finished third on his first start at Gowran earlier this month, twelve lengths behind easy winner Highland Reel, and he was sent off a 6/1 chance this evening.

After breaking smartly under Kevin Manning the chestnut colt made all and once ridden a furlong and a half from home he stretched clear, keeping on well in the closing stages to score by two and a half lengths.

John F Kennedy never looked like reeling in the winner from the furlong pole and he just got up to take second for Aidan and Joseph O’Brien with the Mick Halford trained Prologue a nose back in third at 7/1 under Shane Foley.

The runner-up, who is a full-brother to Tapestry, was 1/2 this morning, opening on-course at 4/7 before going off the clear 8/11 favourite. He remains a 16/1 chance for the Epsom Derby next year with Boylesports.

Jim Bolger said afterwards: "He looked good. I didn’t do anything with him since Gowran. With a nice 2yo you don’t like to see them beaten that far but he ran very green there. He has obviously come on.

"Kevin said he can go anywhere from seven furlongs up and he is a proper horse.

"We could look at the Futurity if it doesn’t come too soon."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson