Erlkonig was marked down by many as a certain future winner after his Kilbeggan second placing on May 16th and he duly went and got the job done as the 13/8 favourite in the TipperaryRaces.ie Maiden Hurdle.

The German-import made all and Danny Mullins asked the grey to go and win his race from the second last. Second in the betting, Irish Bulletin needed a big jump at the last to challenge Erlkonig but he made a mistake and got rid of Mark Walsh.

The patiently-ridden Cassells Rock (6s into 4s on track) then came through for the second, seven lengths behind Erlkonig.

Tony Mullins owns and trains Erlkonig and he explained: "He still shows enough class to win a flat race (successful on the level in his native land).

"He's a handy little horse and he has plenty of ability. When he gets his jumping together he can progress both on the flat and over hurdles.

"We're thinking of the Galway Hurdle at this stage but we'll have to see how he progresses. It's a big jump."

M.A. Enright, rider of Icy Reply (GB) trained by D. T. Hughes, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount never travelled and was pulled up.

The Stewards fined Robert Honner, trainer, €350 for lodging a passport in respect of Persian Wind in which the vaccinations did not conform with the provisions of Rule 91.

The Stewards allowed the horse to run on receipt of the trainer's written assurance that the vaccinations were in order.

(AM & EM)