The betting wasn't much help in determining the outcome of the opening Go Racing In Kildare Festival 3-y-o Maiden Hurdle at Punchestown as Face Value (20/1) scored in good style as his stable companion, 7/4 favourite His Excellency finished down the field (13th, blowing hard post race).
Gordon Elliott trains the pair and he commented afterwards that His Excellency, "was a bit keen and got tired." On the other hand Face Value got stronger as the race developed and he chased down Hollymount King to score by two lengths in the end under Davy Condon.
Elliott said of the Sean Gallagher-owned winner: "He's a grand horse and didn't cost a whole lot at Newmarket (1,200 guineas). He came from Brian Meehan and he didn't have a bad rating. On work at home he'd be well behind the other lad (His Excellency) but he got the job done there."
Face Value is from the family of high-class middle-distance Grade 1 winner, Mutamam.
