Mark Loughnane's Head Of The River won the opening Knocktopher Maiden Hurdle at Gowran today, prompting the Thurles trainer to describe him as the best horse he has trained.

Head Of The River, under Eddie Power, tracked the leaders before progressing to lead before the straight, eventually staying on strongly for an easy nine length win over New Phase

Afterwards an impressed Loughnane reported "Tom Doran (owner) bought this horse for Gns97,000 at Newmarket Sales last year and, although I'm only training six years, this is by far the best horse I've had."

He added "I've no immediate plan but he is a smashing longterm prospect and could develop into a Cheltenham horse in time."