Chain Gang and Adrian Heskin (nearest) get up to beat Minella Aris and Mikey Fogarty© Photo Healy Racing
The Barry Connell owned Chain Gang got off the mark on his debut over flights as he got up close home to deny Minella Aris in the opener at Leopardstown, the At The Races Maiden Hurdle.
Stepping up to two and a half miles for the first time today the Alan Fleming trained victor was settled towards rear by Adrian Heskin.
He took closer order from five out and went third from three out. He was pushed along after the next and stayed on dourly on the run-in, getting up close home to beat Minella Aris by a head.
The runner-up, who hit the front before the last, was returned an easy to back 12/1 (5's last night) chance under Mikey Fogarty for Aidan O'Brien. Road To Respect who attempted to make all, was the well-backed 4/6 favourite and he finished a further three and three parts of a length back in third under Bryan Cooper for Eoin Griffin.
The front three went twenty-four lengths clear of Bellow Mome who was fourth.
Alan Fleming said afterwards: "We're very happy. He's extremely tough.
"I'd say going up in trip would be no problem and even back in trip a little. He's a lovely horse and bred to be very good over hurdles.
"Hopefully it's onwards and upwards from here and he might appreciate a bit better ground. We're absolutely chuffed as I'd say it was a decent maiden hurdle.
"Looking at Gordon Elliott's horse (Tombstone) last time in Down Royal it would have been impossible to beat him but it would have been nice to finish a bit closer.
"He's has plenty of options now and he's just a proper horse I'd say."
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
