No living with King in Tipp opener Soon in front King Pellinor dominated to take the Tipperary Maiden Hurdle for J P McManus and Joseph O’Brien. On a day when his brother Kevin sponsors the featured Grade Three Grimes Hurdle at the Limerick Junction venue, McManus got off to the best possible start as the Mark Walsh-ridden King Pellinor kept it simple in the lead. The 7/1 scorer was going to take some reeling in up the straight, and though runner-up Swelltime (50s into 25s) finished off well, he was never threatening the four length victor. Evens favourite Theatre Of War (from 4/6) proved to be very disappointing in tenth place. "Good ground and the blinkers helped,” said Walsh. “I rode him good and positively today and it wasn't the best race in the world but he did it nicely enough." Gavin Cromwell, trainer of Theatre Of War, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his charge ran flat. The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Theatre Of War, trained by Gavin Cromwell, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be blowing hard and lame on it's right hind when examined post race. (TW & EM)
