Ted Hastings got up close home for Sam Ewing © Photo Healy Racing
Ted Hastings added to his three wins over hurdles when making a winning debut on the level to take the Johnny Kierans Memorial Maiden at Bellewstown.
The Gordon Elliott-trained gelding won three times in Britain over the summer and continued his upward curve on this, his first ever appearance on the flat.
The former point-to-point winner needed every yard of this 12f trip to reel in longtime leader Honeycomb but did so in the shadows of the winning post.
Sam Ewing had to be at his strongest to get the Imperial Monarch gelding home in front but showed real strength in doing so.
“That was impressive. We thought he'd run well today,” said Ewing.
“We went fairly steady and he was able to travel up there. Once we were up there he stayed on very well the whole way up the straight.
“That ground is probably ideal for him. We'll see what Gordon wants to do with him but hopefully there is more to come from him on the Flat.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
