Michael Hourigan said of Dushybeag in a recent stable tour: "He stays well and will get three miles no problem. He is not quick enough for bumpers and he'll start off in a maiden hurdle. He is a real chaser but we'll try and win a couple of hurdle races with him beforehand."

Well Adrian Heskin made full use of Dushybeag's stamina in the two and a half mile I.N.H. Stallion Owners European Breeders Fund Maiden Hurdle at Clonmel. He soon slipped the field on the 7/1 shot and from three out it was apparent that four to one on favourite, The Paparrazi Kid wasn't going to bridge the gap, twenty one lengths being the margin between the pair at the line.

Kay Hourigan, daughter of the winning trainer, said: "That's the maiden hurdle out of the way. I'm delighted for the owner (Donal O'Connor) as he is local. We'll try and find something else for him over hurdles but he's a chaser long-term."

Second in the betting, Clara Bel La basically didn't want to know about racing this afternoon and she eventually ran out at the sixth last. (TW & EM)