Supreme performance from Aerlite

Aerlite Supreme rewarded the patience of his Galway owners when finally opening his account in the CCTV Venue Control Maiden Hurdle at Ballybrit.

Runner-up four times last season, including in three bumpers, the six-year-old gelding was produced by Adrian Heskin to head the front-running Mr Cosmopolitan at the last. Sonny B threw down a strong challenge on the run-in but Michael Hourigan’s charge was not to be outdone on this occasion and prevailed by a head.

The pair stretched nearly ten lengths clear of third-placed Mr Cosmopolitan.

Hourigan said, “It’s been 12 months coming (referring to his close third here on debut) and it’s great for the boys. He’s had a wind operation and it looks like it worked as he really stuck his neck out.

“Chasing will be his game and he’ll go over fences sooner rather than later.”