O'Shea off the mark for new boss

Tadhg O'Shea recorded his first winner in Ireland since Tactic won the Curragh Cup for him in June in 2010, as he guided the 4/11 favourite Hold The Line home in front in the Greenmount Median Auction Maiden.

O’Shea who has been based in Dubai for the last four years is now the retained rider for Jimmy Long of Thistle Bloodstock Limited and this was his first victory for his boss under the new arrangement.

Pat Shanahan trains the winning son of Ivan Denisovich and he made all before asserting from two furlong out, going clear in the final furlong to win by three and a half lengths at the line.

The John Joseph Murphy trained newcomer Durand finished second at 12/1 under Shane Foley.

Shanahan said afterwards; "It's about time he won. He was second in two maidens but they probably weren’t too bad.

"He will improve as the season goes on as he is a big horse. He will be better on better ground and he looks a mile and a quarter type horse."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes