Cluan Dara made the breakthrough on his 21st start, as he got the better of Hugo 'N Taz in the Fairyhouse.ie Maiden Hurdle.

The John Ryan trained victor touched 4/1 on-course for this two mile seven furlong contest, eventually going off a 7/2 chance with Tommy Brett in the saddle.

Settled in rear, the bay six-year-old improved into mid-division with just under a circuit to race, and came with his challenge between horses before the second last.

He gained a narrow lead at that flight and while he was strongly pressed by Hugo 'N Taz (9/4fav) after the last, he battled back gamely close home to score by a head.

Andrew Ring was aboard the runner-up for Denis Hogan, while Legal Lord (33/1) was another five and a half lengths back in third for Andrew Lynch and Seamus Neville.

Ryan said afterwards: "That was grand. He's a nice horse. We'll skip Punchestown and wait for the likes of Ballinrobe and Sligo.

"It was very frustrating after he finished second to Samcro as we thought he'd win a maiden hurdle nearly 12 months ago.

"At least he's won at Fairyhouse and it was a nice pot. He's a brilliant jumper and is only a shell of a horse. The Scorpions take time mentally and physically but he'll be a nice horse for the summer.

"He has a bit of class but made hard work of that and I think he got headed. Tom said he had loads left and he's a stayer.

"He was also second to the horse that won earlier (Catwalk King) in a bumper.

"We have his half-brother by Yeats and he's a lovely horse, a speedier and better sort."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson