Western Comandor and Liam Quinlan© Photo Healy Racing
Western Comandor opened his account at the seventh attempt when keeping on in gutsy fashion to land the opening Bluegrasshorsefeed.com Maiden Hurdle at Down Royal.
The John Ryan-trained gelding, narrowly denied twice in bumpers and also placed over hurdles last year, was reappearing after a four-month winter break and the 12/1 shot struck the front two out.
Liam Quinlan ’s mount had to dig deep on the run-in to hold off the renewed challenge of the well-backed Flamborough by half-a-length.
The 5/2 favourite Canal End also kept on really well on the run-in to finish just a length further back in third.
Ryan said: "He looked like a real bumper horse and, in fairness, I have to thank Fethard Equine Hospital as they did a little palate job on him. They did a great job on him.
"He was always a classy horse. Hunt Ball is a brother to his dam (Western Rose), so he is a well-bred horse.
"He could be a nice little novice hurdler now, he's a novice until next November anyway at least. We'll have a bit of fun with this lad.
"He would (prefer going the other way around) - the Kerry tracks are left-handed!"
Quotes by Michael Graham
