Meyler on the mark for O'Brien and Gigginstown

Jockey Donagh Meyler bridged a four-year gap between winners for Gigginstown House Stud at Down Royal today as he partnered a first winner for trainer Joseph O'Brien on owner Michael O'Leary's Battle Of Actium in the opening I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle.

Battle Of Actium (2/1 second favourite) today led home a 1-2 for trainer O'Brien, whose 7/4 favourite Fun Light filled second place having made some jumping errors.

It was Meyler's third success for O'Leary's Gigginstown having previously steered subsequent dual Grand National winner Tiger Roll to land the 2016 Munster National, three months after he won the Galway Plate for the owner on Lord Scoundrel.

Following today's win, Meyler stated “I'm delighted to ride a winner for Joseph (O'Brien), it's my first for him. He has been very kind to me over the last few months with JJ (Slevin) out. It's great to pick up a winner for him.

“He (Battle Of Actium) had the run under his belt, so we stretched them a bit stepping up in trip and it worked well.

"He was very professional, so hopefully he can improve from that again.

"He has probably got a bit lonely going down to the last, but he was very good everywhere else.”

The Battle of Actium was a naval battle in the last war of the Roman Republic, fought between the fleet of Octavian and the combined forces of Mark Antony and Queen Cleopatra of Egypt.

Quotes from Michael Graham