Red All Star and Conor Hoban © Photo Healy Racing
Red All Star blazed a trail to claim the Kildare Post Maiden at Naas under a positive ride by Conor Hoban.
The Pat Martin-trained gelding bounced out in front in the six furlong contest and made every post a winning one.
He kept on gamely for Hoban in the closing stages to hold the challenge of Insearchofadream by a length.
The winner, a well-backed 9/4 second choice from 4/1 this morning, was dropping in trip having been placed three times over seven this season.
Albert The Bold the 6/4 favourite, missed the kick and made no impression, beating only one home.
“The ground was probably a little quicker than ideal but they've done a good job with it and taken the real hardness out of it,” said Martin.
“I think when he gets a bit of an ease he'll be a nice horse. He'll go to Sligo for a six-and-a-half furlong handicap the week after Galway. He's very consistent and brave.”
Hoban added:- “He was entitled to do that and has bumped into one or two. The straight track suited better today as he tends to hang a bit left.
“He wasn't really enjoying himself in front, and was idling and looking around, but when he heard something come to him he put his head down and galloped away.”
The winner is owned by former all-star and Meath footballer Patrick Reynolds.
(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)
