Antrim Coast just leads Mister Pink over the last© Photo Healy Racing
An eye-catching second on his debut over flights at Navan last month, Antrim Coast went a place better in the Paddy Power Games 'More Chances To Win' Maiden Hurdle.
Sent off a 2/1 chance, the Gavin Cromwell-trained five-year-old was settled behind the leaders by Keith Donoghue and was pushed along in third after making a slight mistake two flights from home.
He soon came with his challenge on the outer and gained a narrow lead on the approach to the last, ultimately keeping on best in the closing stages, going on to score by four-and-a-quarter lengths.
Ballinrobe winner Mister Pink (11/4) filled the runner-up spot under Paul Townend for Willie Mullins, while Pour Les Filles (11/8f) was three-parts-of-a-length back in third.
The front-three pulled 20-lengths clear of Tom Kelly (16/1 from 66s early) in fourth.
"He's still very green but built on the last day at Navan where he hit the line well," Cromwell said of the Basil Holian-owned victor.
"He finished well again today and hopefully he's going to keep improving. He's a nice horse.
"He wants every yard of the two and a half. We're not going to be in a hurry to step him up but in time he'll go further."
STEWARDS REPORTS
P. Townend, rider of Mister Pink, trained by W.P. Mullins, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount hung left under pressure.
At the request of the Raceday Stewards, Sarah Kavanagh, rider of The Mind Boggles trained by Patrick T. Foley, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that her mount hung and started to make a noise in the straight.
The Raceday Stewards interviewed Sarah Kavanagh, rider of The Mind Boggles, in relation to her failure to report in the first instance anything which might have effected the running of their horse in a race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who stated that she was unaware that she was required to do so and apologised. Having considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that Sarah Kavanagh was in breach of Rule 213(ii) and having considered her record in this regard the Raceday Stewards suspended Sarah Kavanagh for one raceday.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
