Custom Of The Sea delivers under JJ Slevin © Photo Healy Racing
Custom Of The Sea made a taking debut in the Killarney Towers Hotel Maiden Hurdle for four-year-olds over two miles one furlong.
Joseph O'Brien 's Soldier Of Fortune gelding was backed from 11/1 to 7/1 and the money proved well founded.
He made headway to tack onto the leading group approaching the straight and availed of the inner route to sweep to the front after two out. Morning Soldier the 11/8 favourite, had few answers once passed and Custom of The Sea went for home before the last. He was less than fluent there but strode right away by five and a-half lengths.
Keen-going Boher Road who led for most of the race, rallied to get up for second at 28/1 from Morning Soldier.
Assistant trainer Brendan Powell said: “He has a nice pedigree, but hasn’t shown too much at home. He’s a very laid-back horse.
“JJ (Slevin) said that he popped away good and feels he could be a nice horse. He wouldn’t sparkle at home, but is honest and he tries. Early on he was a bit green and a bit raw.
“Hopefully he will go on from here and he will stay further as well. There will be plenty of races for him over the summer.”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
