Secrecies Of Stone gains reward for his consistency

Secrecies Of Stone runner-up on two of his previous three starts, opened his account in the O’Driscoll’s Irish Whiskey Maiden Hurdle at Tipperary.

The Paul Nolan-trained 9/4 joint favourite was never too far from the pace and kept on well on the run-in for Sean O’Keeffe to get the better of Folly Beach by a neck.

The other joint favourite Dorans Law could find no extra in the closing stages two and a half lengths back in third.

Nolan’s brother and assistant trainer James said, “He’s a weak horse that you are trying to leave a bigger gap between his races which helps.

“Sean felt he’d have won well only he left his hind legs in the second last and landed a bit awkwardly. In fairness for a lad that hasn’t found too much off the bridle through the winter he found more today and that’s pleasing.

“I’d say we might go chasing sooner rather than later because jumping is his biggest asset.”