North Star Lad saves best for track

Coolagowan Stud in County Cork stood Stardan (a Danehill horse), a very useful performer over ten furlongs in France as a three-year-old. He is now listed as being at stud in India, he was previously responsible for a winner in Danequest, and another of his sons, North Star Lad proved more than up to the task in the Prestige Catering Maiden Hurdle at Downpatrick.

Another tough pill to swallow for punters, following on from 33/1 shot World Citizen half-an-hour previously, 16/1 chance North Star Lad eventually saw it out best to beat Pigeon Creek by thirteen lengths.

Paul Carberry had challenged on North Star Lad, eighth on his debut at Galway, just over a fortnight back, from before two out where he wasn't fluent. However that mattered little as the successful five-year-old drew clear from the back of the last.

"He shows absolutely nothing at home. He's very laidback and lazy. I couldn't believe how moderate he works. Last spring I took him to a schooling race in Navan but he got a knock there. I brought him back and he showed nothing. He then ran okay in Galway," winning trainer Noel Meade said.

"He's a nice big horse and stays well. He wants three miles and will probably go over fences straight away."

Favourite here Zadarska was beaten when falling at the last.

Meanwhile the owners of North Star Lad, the ASIS Syndicate tasted success in the past with Piper's Knowe, also a winner at this venue, in 2008, for Meade and Carberry as well. (MG & EM)