THE Tom Lacey-trained Stowaway gelding Johnbb, who narrowly justified favouritism in the opening maiden hurdle at Ayr on Wednesday, is a half-brother to a prolific winner in Northern Ireland.

However, this horse is not listed in point-to-point or racing records. The 2009 Irish Sport Horse gelding Carnsdale Irish Times is by the Irish Draught stallion Murphys Irish Diamond and his victories have come in the show ring.

Ridden by Robyn Catterall for Mike Lewis, some of his major successes include champion hunter at Balmoral 2016, intermediate side-saddle champion at Dublin Horse Show 2017 and side-saddle champion at the Royal Highland Show outside Edinburgh 2018.

Carnsdale Irish Times and his half-brother, the international three-star show jumper Flemins Bouncer (by Grange Bouncer), were bred in Co Wexford by Brendan Murphy out of the Flemensfirth mare Flemins Evening. She has since returned to being covered by thoroughbreds.

Johnbb is the mare’s fourth foal registered with Weatherbys. He was followed by a Stowaway filly in 2015 and a Fame And Glory colt (2016) and filly (2017).