Sporting Glory and Sam Ewing © Photo Healy Racing
Sporting Glory justified favouritism when getting well on top in the closing stages to take the Corrib Oil Maiden Hurdle for Gordon Elliott and Sam Ewing at Galway.
The 11/8 market leader joined the front-running Addragoole before the second last and the pair quickly had the race between them.
The Fame And Glory gelding, bought for 120,000 at Doncaster after winning a Fairyhouse bumper for Pat Fahy earlier this year, took control on the run-in to beat that rival by six lengths with His Nibs a yawning 26 lengths back in third.
This victory completed a quick across the card double for the Cullentra trainer who was also on the mark at Cheltenham with The Wallpark.
Elliott was represented by Lisa O’Neill who said, “It was his first start for the yard and he was entitled to do that as he obviously had good form before coming to us. While he was more than entitled to win a maiden hurdle, it was still nice to see him go and do that.
"He should improve plenty from it and he also lost some ground when landing awkwardly at the second-last. Sam was happy with him and gave him a lovely ride.
"It is great for the owners who are great supporters of the yard and hopefully it is onwards and upwards with him. There will be plenty of novice opportunities for him and the fact he has already proven himself in top novice company in the past, you'd hope he will do so again."
Quotes by Tom Weekes
