Baroneracing.com Royal Bond Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)

IN this race, it was the turn of another highly promising Gordon Elliott-trained and Cheveley Park-owned youngster to prove their worth and Ballyadam passed this latest test while leaving the impression that he still has a bit to learn.

The five-year-old son of Fame And Glory headed the market at 8/15 on the back of a smooth maiden hurdle win at Down Royal in late October and he travelled through the race with ease, but a novicey early mistake gave a little cause for concern.

As the pace of the race picked up dramatically, Jack Kennedy produced his mount with a strong challenge on the run to two out, and a particularly good jump there by Ballyadam enabled him to take control of the race.

The winner was awkward at the last which gave the chasing Cask Mate a chance to close in, but no sooner did the latter threaten to do so than Ballyadam moved on again for a cosy length-and-a-half success.

N’golo, who didn’t enjoy the smoothest of passages at a vital time, was a further half-length away in third.

“Jack said he still has plenty to learn and he has only run twice over hurdles,” stated Elliott. “What I liked about him was that he found plenty when he came under pressure and Jack didn’t have to be too hard on him from the last to the line. We will look towards the Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown.”