Johnny Ocean looks ready to make a splash

There was drama aplenty at the North Kilkenny meeting with the Dicks Supervalu, Ballyragget five-year-old-and-upwards adjacent maiden producing a bizarre finish as none of the four runners completed the course.

The Willie Murphy-trained Oscar Contender was in front and travelling well when falling at the fourth-last, leaving Orchard Lane seemingly with the race at his mercy. However, on entering the straight he began to idle and his advantage was reduced. Drifting across the final fence he unseated Richie Deegan and brought down Military Class.

Johnny Ocean managed to avoid trouble for a winning debut in the Tallis & Co and Aidan Brophy five-year-old geldings’ maiden. The race has a fine roll of honour, with Martello Tower and Neon Wolf as past winners.