Department Of War and Kevin Brouder lead them home in the Down Royal opener© Photo Healy Racing
A half-brother to high-class Flat performers Toormore and Estidhkaar, Department Of War sprung a 100/1 surprise in the opening Molson Coors Maiden Hurdle at Down Royal.
Victorious on the level himself, in his time with Richard Hannon, Department Of War joined the David Dunne yard for 3,000 guineas last July.
The chestnut was brought down at the first on his hurdling debut at Leopardstown on St Stephen’s Day, but he enjoyed better fortune here under Kevin Brouder.
Brouder (36th for the season) is in excellent form and he got Department Of War home by four and a half lengths. Port Stanley with tape flapping loose from one of his front legs, got the final flight badly wrong when in front, opening the door for Department Of War.
Favourite Belfast Banter (5/4 out to 7/4) was well held in fifth.
David Dunne has care of Department Of War for his uncle Paul.
"I kind of bought him by accident at the Sales. I saw him going through and he was a gorgeous horse - he was a colt at the time and he was absolutely gleaming. I looked at the pages and saw he was a half-brother to Toormore and thought 'what's wrong with him?' as he was going so cheap," said the County Meath-based handler.
"I could see a bit of filling in his leg. I took a chance and brought him home and was told he had broken down badly but the vets said to give him another month off and fire away with him.
"He's been perfect ever since but to get a horse like him that cheap was lucky. He has been working exceptionally well. We probably have a lower class of horse so he'd be working that well it would be hard to judge how good he was.
"He went to a schooling bumper there in December and finished third and he wasn't really fit so that gave me a good indicator.
"He does want a cut in the ground. I'd say he did the damage when he ran on good to firm in Goodwood. He doesn't feel like a Flat horse at all. I wouldn't chance him on summer ground.
"I thought we would be going for another maiden hurdle. I said to someone if he finishes in the first five or six I would be happy. I was going to bring him across the water for an easier maiden hurdle. It is so hard to win a maiden hurdle in Ireland now."
Under the provisions of Rule 90, the Stewards allowed Drumbaragh trained by Nigel Carolan, to run on receipt of the trainer's written assurance that the error identified in the certification of vaccinations would be corrected in accordance with Rule 91 within the timeframe specified.
(MG & EM)
