Valleyoftheeagles driven home by Sean Flanagan© Photo Healy Racing
Valleyoftheeagles rattled home to mug Chiefs Kingdom in Killarney's Mongey Communications Maiden Hurdle.
Chiefs Kingdom wore down front-running Ideal De Ciergues just before the final flight and looked set to take the honours on the run-in, but there was a late twist.
Sean Flanagan conjured up a storming finish from Valleyoftheeagles who swooped on the outer close home to score by half a length at 4/1.
Chiefs Kingdom had to settle for the runner-up prize at 7/1 and was a length and three-parts in front of 9/4 favourite Ideal De Ciergues.
Martin Hassett said:“That’s three winners and a third in eight days for a small operation. I’ve just a restricted licence, but I’m on a real high!
“When the penny drops, he’s going to be a right horse. He jumped better the last day, but he got a flier at the last which was the main one.
“He was immature mentally and physically. He had a few good runs on the Flat and, when we put a hurdle in front of him, the penny started to drop. We think an awful lot of him.”
Valleyoftheeagles was fourth on hurdling debut at Kilbeggan last month and that form had been franked.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
