Mister Beeton at the final flight© Photo Healy Racing
Mister Beeton took the honours in a dramatic Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle at Roscommon.
He made steady headway in second after the third last and was left at the head of affairs when the leader Glendars Mahler attempted to duck out in the wings of the next hurdle. She jinked to her right and lost her footing giving jockey Peter Smithers no chance of retaining the partnership.
Mister Beeton didn't need further invitation he popped it and soon moved clear of a hard-driven Ardera Ru
The new leader wandered before the last but jumped it safely for Shane Fitzgerald and was driven out to score by five lengths at 9/2 from 7/1 on hurdling debut, having been runner-up in two bumpers. Dinero Falso came through for second at 5/1 from Ardera Ru (7/2 from double figure odds in the morning).
“He deserved that and I was delighted with him. To be honest, I thought coming here today that we were a winner without a penalty,” said trainer Shane Nolan.
“He got too far back the last day and stayed on very well. I don't know whether he would have beaten Willie's horse but he would have been a bit closer and we could have made a race of it anyway.
“Unfortunately, John (Clarke, owner) isn't here today but it's great to get a winner for him.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
