Golden Temple and Liam McKenna pictured on their way to victory© Photo Healy Racing
Given a well-judged ride by Liam McKenna, Golden Temple ran his rivals ragged from the front in the Ivan Connaughton Auctioneers Rated Novice Hurdle.
Having made the breakthrough in a handicap hurdle on his 17th start at Downpatrick last month, the Noel Meade-trained four-year-old was sent off a 5/1 chance this evening.
Quickly establishing a healthy advantage, the son of Galileo Gold increased his lead with just over a circuit to race and had all his rivals off the bridle as they entered the straight for the final time.
Owned by the Spice Of Life Partnership, the bay victor was ridden away from the second last and kept up the gallop all the way to the line, coming home eight-and-a-half lengths to the good.
Fellow Downpatrick winner Going Live (16/5) filled the runner-up spot under Carl Millar for Gordon Elliott, while Le Coq Hardi (5/2f) was another length-and-a-half back in third.
"After the way he won the last day in the north there was no point in changing things too much," Meade commented.
"He jumps well, likes the fast ground, and I thought around here on the sharper track there was no point hanging around and waiting for them. We might as well jump off and go along.
"He loves jumping and jumps very well, he's not a very big horse. He's bred to go about six or seven furlongs so it just shows you.
"I'd say he'll win on the Flat as well. He's actually entered in a mile-six race at Fairyhouse on Friday, we'll see what happens but I'd say it's unlikely he'll run now.
"He's still a novice, we'll play along and see how the handicapper treats us."
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
