Ballyadam justified odds-on favouritism with victory in the Baroneracing.com Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse.
Trained by Gordon Elliott and owned by Cheveley Park Stud, Ballyadam was following in the hoofprints of last year's winner for the same connections, Envoi Allen, and did so in good style.
He moved well under Jack Kennedy on the heels of the leaders through the first half of the race and when market rival N'Golo got a little boxed in on the inside as the pace quickened turning for home, Kennedy sensed his chance.
The jockey sent Ballyadam (8/15 favourite) to the front as they took the second last flight and while he didn't pull clear of 8/1 runner-up Cask Mate after a fiddling leap at the last, he stayed on well and had a length and a half to spare at line.
N'Golo stayed on nicely once in the clear to take third for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend.
Elliott said: “You couldn’t ask for more. Jack said he was a bit novicey – but it was only his second run over hurdles, so we can take plenty of positives out of it.
“Jack said it was just hands and heels after the last – he just gave him one little flick. He said there was plenty of horse left but he’s still a baby, plenty of learning to do.
"I was hoping he’d win, but it’s never that straightforward.
“I’d imagine he’ll go to Leopardstown (at Christmas) now. He’s a tough horse who stays as well. He relaxes now – he was very keen in his bumpers."
Kennedy said: “I was delighted with him. He made a couple of mistakes but recovered from them well, so he’ll have learned plenty from today.
“It was steadily run, and we ended up sprinting down to the second last. My lad has plenty of gears and he kept going well in front. I was always happy that he was doing enough, so I didn’t knock him around.”
The sponsors reacted by making Ballyadam 7/1 from 8/1 for the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham, while they also clipped the horse a couple of points to 10 for the Ballymore, the race Envoi Allen went on to win at last season's Festival.
Sky Bet's Sports PR Manager Michael Shinners said: "Ballyadam enhanced his reputation with another excellent performance. We are now 7/1 from 8/1 for the Sky Bet Supreme and 10/1 for the Ballymore."
