BLACKHILLSOFDAKOTA (left) and JJ Slevin jump the last.© Photo Healy Racing
After his 13/8 favourite Ballymacaw finished third on hurdles debut in the opener, John Halley had cause to celebrate a one-two in race two of the final day of the August Festival, the Tramore Amusement & Leisure Par Maiden Hurdle as Blackhillsofdakota (6/4 fav) had two lengths to spare over Frankincense (12/1).
The winner and second, both former Ballydoyle-trained geldings by Galileo, were first timers over hurdles.
Jack Holiday (25/1) was a further head away in third place.
The winner won a Listed bumper at Limerick in March and, despite being a little bit careful with his jumping, the trainer’s son and assistant Josh Halley was pleased with him as he commented: "he was gelded at the back of his Aintree run and has come back very nice for it.
"We chanced our luck a small bit by running him at Aintree as it was his third run in 18 days so we learned out lesson and will take it nice and handy with him now.
"We're going to aim for a novice hurdle after this and will go from there. JJ gave him a great ride.
"We were very happy with Frankincense (runner-up) and were expecting both horses to run well so we're happy out. A more galloping track would suit Frankincense more but Tramore has been a lucky place for us."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
