Viaduct Joey opened his account under rules when staying on well in the straight to land the John J Galvin Maiden Hurdle under Tom Doyle.
The 7/2 chance struck the front entering the straight and was soon driven clear by Doyle, keeping on well to readily hold the challenge of well-backed 2/1 favourite Cairdin by four lengths.
In a two and a half mile event dominated by the market leaders, Dingaling (3/1) could find no extra after two out to finish a further eight and a half lengths back in third.
Martin Ferris was in hot water with the stewards after finishing a well-beaten ninth on Man Turk Lady He was given a seven day ban for using his whip with excessive frequency, and also for unnecessary use of the whip after his chance was gone.
Winning trainer Terence O'Brien said, “He's a decent horse and won a point-to-point last year but was a shade disappointing afterwards. He probably just needed the run at Galway last time. I always put him down as a good ground horse but he got through that alright.”
Tom Doyle, recording his second winner of the Festival after Toomdeely made all yesterday, added, “He stayed very well and quickened up well off the bottom bend. It's great to get a few winners here.”
Alan Magee
