Ballystone justifies odds-on favouritism The first divide of the Sheridan Electric Maiden Hurdle went the way of Ballystone, with this Tom Gibney-trained five-year-old justifying odds-on favouritism. Placed in two bumpers and beaten by just a head on his most recent start at Cork, the son of Shirocco was sent at 1/2 from early shows of 13/8. Always towards the head of affairs under Darragh O'Keeffe, the Derek Kierans-owned bay made virtually all and needed to be ridden out in the closing stages to see off the challenge of Sherodan by a length-and-three-quarters. The runner-up ran a fine race returning from a lengthy absence and was returned at 7/2 under Sean Flanagan for Peter Fahey. The front pair went 14 lengths clear of Art Of Silence (14/1) in third. "Darragh told me that they had done a great job with the ground when I spoke to him last night so we were never not going to run, but he wouldn't really be a summer horse," Gibney revealed. "We'll see what Derek says but he might have a break and he'll definitely handle winter ground. He should have no problem staying further in time." The winner was second in a point-to-point when trained by Colin McKeever and is a half-brother to 10-time winner Wholestone. STEWARDS REPORT * S.F. O'Keeffe, rider of Catchabird, trained by W.J. Burke, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount bolted going to the start. Additional reporting by Mark Nunan
