Third time lucky for Thomas over hurdles Thomas Edison justified his short odds as he took the Buck Mooneys Maiden Hurdle on his third attempt over hurdles for trainer Tony Martin with Mark Walsh in the saddle. The 5yo son of Danehill Dancer was sent off the 6/4 favourite last time out at Gowran but he fell at the second last when still in contention. Sent off the 1/3 favourite today he made no mistake as he tracked the leaders early on and was third at the halfway stage. He made headway to lead after the fourth last flight and he went on from there, going clear before two out and being eased down in the closing stages to record a very easy nine and a half lengths success. The Paul Stafford trained Hawkins Street ran on well to take second at 50/1 under Conor Maxwell while the second choice of punters Echoes Of History was a further two lengths back in third under John Cullen for David Wachman at 13/2. Formerly owned by Alan Murray the winner was bought by his current owner JP McManus after he beat, subsequent Cheltenham & Punchestown Champion bumper winner, Champagne Fever into second in a bumper at Leopardstown last Christmas. Winning trainer Ton Martin said afterwards: "He is a nice horse and we will tip away with him and feel our way with him. "We wanted to get today out of the way. He is a horse that would like nice ground and we will keep things intact with him." The winner is a half-brother to the Aidan O’Brien trained filly Devotion. (On-course reporting by Michael Graham)
