Xionghu gets off the mark under Foley

Yulong Xionghu made virtually all to take the Sallins Parish Maiden under Shane Foley for Mick Halford and owner Zhang Yuesheng.

An encouraging second on debut at Limerick in April, the son of Raven's Pass was fitted with a hood for the first time today.

In front after a furlong, he was pressed and ridden with two furlongs to go, getting on top in the closing stages, going on to score by a length and a half. Conversely was sent off the 11/8 favourite (as big as 3/1 this morning), and she had to settle for second under Wayne Lordan for Henry De Bromhead. Above Us Only Sky (20/1) completed the placings another half a length back for Declan McDonogh and Charles O'Brien.

Halford said in the aftermath: "He's a very tall horse, and is still very babyish and raw. We've been patient and he's a work in progress.

"We put the hood on as he tends to be a bit keen. It was not really the plan to make the running but he stuck at it well. He's very genuine and will get better with racing."

The winner cost E62,000 as a yearling, and is a half-brother to point-to-point and bumper winner Empire Burleque.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee