The Bees Knees made quite an impression when getting off the mark at the third time of asking in a five-year-old geldings’ maiden at Ballycrystal. The five-year-old had looked booked for the placings at Boulta in November, a race that was won by the £400,000 purchase Sir Gerhard, only to come down at the final fence. The bay gelding, who was always on the pace, was given a patient ride by Brian Lawless and picked up nicely from the final fence to go on and win by a promising five lengths. This well-bred son of Oscar, with a hurdler's physique that's a three-parts brother to Champion Hurdle winner Rock On Ruby, appears to possess a nice bit of speed, particularly on the quicker surface that he encountered here and could well develop into a promising prospect under rules.