Leading Lion clears the last under Jack Kennedy © Photo Healy Racing
Off an initial mark of 100, Leading Lion easily accounted for his 15 rivals in the Reddans Of Bettystown Handicap Hurdle.
Previously trained in the UK by John Gosden and bought by current connections for 60,000 pounds, the Roaring Lion four-year-old had shown little on testing ground over the winter months.
Down the field on the level at Dundalk on his last two starts, the Gordon Elliott-trained bay was upped in trip to two-and-a-half miles this evening.
Sent off an 11/1 chance, the Geraldine Clohessy and Fergus Galvin-owned victor raced mainly in third under Jack Kennedy and while a bit keen, he improved to lead on the approach to three out.
Soon sent clear, he wasn't fluent over the next but kept up the gallop away from the last and could afford to be eased down close home.
There was four-and-a-half lengths back to Gustavo Goodway (20/1) in the runner-up spot, while Letters To Juliet (16/1) and Rockview Roman (10/1) were third and fourth respectively.
The third blundered at the last, with Paddy O'Brien working wonders to keep the partnership intact.
Returned the 11/2 favourite, Inforapenny faded tamely in the straight and finished a disappointing tenth.
"He was probably going plenty the whole way round, he was a bit keen. I couldn't get him to settle," Kennedy commented.
"He jumped great and I picked it up plenty soon on him, I couldn't hold on to him any longer really. He stuck at it well.
"He's a bit free and you wouldn't want to be going too hard on him.
"It all worked out great today."
Celebrating their 61st wedding anniversary, Nicholas and Noreen Galvin, parents of co-owner Fergus, were in attendance for the win.
STEWARDS REPORTS
K.M. Donoghue, rider of Shana Cloon trained by Gavin Cromwell, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount made a bad mistake and pulled up.
K. Callaghan, rider of Whatyouwant trained by Michael C. Griffin, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount never travelled and pulled up.
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Inforapenny, trained by Mark Fahey, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Harley Street trained by Joseph Patrick O'Brien, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
Additional reporting by Michael Graham
