“Doubles” were certainly the order of the day at Enniscorthy for the opening round of the Connolly’s RED MILLS Future Champion on Monday night; George Roche, Eugene Price, Peter Cronin and Paul Hennessy all recorded a brace of winners each.

George Roche, Barntown, collected with his two “sales purchases”; Express Sparkle scored an all the way success in 29.30 and Express Tiberus, caught the eye after plenty of trouble to win in 29.53.

Down through the years the “Future Champion Unraced” has certainly lived up to its billing, we saw a future star in the final contest of the evening; Lebudgiesmuggler scored a trap to line success to stop the clock in 29.15, it may not have been the fastest time of the night, but the going certainly deteriorated on the night.

Eugene Price’s litter comrades, by Kinloch Brae out of Pennys Queen all created a favourable impression, but the penultimate winner, Pennys Saxon, won in 29.34, could well be the pick of the Kildare kennel.

The second round of the competition takes place next Monday night.