Volantis (right) and Keith Donoghue © Photo Healy Racing
Volantis opened his account in fine style when quickening up nicely to take the Connolly’s RED MILLS Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle at Fairyhouse.
The Ross O’Sullivan-trained gelding had useful placed form in bumpers and again showed promise when switched to hurdles here last month.
The 100/30 shot travelled well to challenge between horses two out and was just pushed out to assert on the run-in by Keith Donoghue to beat Fine Margin by three-and-three-quarter lengths.
The 9/4 favourite Purse Price found little when asked for an effort approaching the final flight finishing a further three quarters of a length back in third.
O'Sullivan said, "The last day when Keith rode him here he thought he was going to win turning in and he got to the front early on him.
“He doesn't do a whole lot when he gets to the front, like he did again today. Today he said he was going to ride him like Harchibald! It was a lovely patient ride and Katie rang me straight away afterwards and said it was a peach of a ride.
“He's a great leaper. We bought him in the summertime after he was third in a bumper to a horse of ours, Realistic Optimism.
“He's turned out to be a very consistent horse and Keith said he's going to be very competitive in handicaps, a good fun horse on nice ground in the summer.
“We won't be rushing him and obviously with the boys (Monroe family) connection he'll definitely be going to Galway.”
Quotes by Gary Carson
