Reserve Carlingford takes his chance

Park Ranger was the only horse punters wanted to know about in the opening Athleague Maiden Hurdle at Roscommon this evening, with the son of High Chaparral going off the 8/15fav.

However things didn't go to plan as the second reserve Carlingford Lough for trainer John Kiely and jockey Mark Walsh got the better of the odds-on shot after a battle up the home straight by three parts of a length at the line.

Sent off the 7/1 joint second favourite the winning son of King's Theatre had just one run to his name before today, that coming over the course and distance last month, when he finish a respectable fifth, just over twelve lengths behind Hired Hand.

The other 7/1 joint second favourite Abarta completed the placings a further nine lengths back in third, for trainer Val O’Brien.

The dam of the winner Baden, was a decent mare for the late Paddy Mullins in the early nineties winning five, including a Grade 2 handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse.

Winning trainer John Kiely said afterwards: "He ran a lovely race on his debut and it brought him on a good bit. Hopefully we will find something for him now before long.

"He is by the right stallion and it's a pity he is gone (King's Theatre, who died just last month)."