Messerschmitt added to a Flat win on debut at Thurles last year when taking the Renvyle House Hotel 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle at Galway this afternoon.

The Noel Meade-trained gelding unseated rider on his only previous hurdle run at Killarney in August but set the record straight here following a couple of solid Flat runs.

The 3/1 joint favourite led after the penultimate flight and despite a slight mistake at the last, kept on well on the run-in under Donagh Meyler to beat Moutarde by two and three-quarter lengths. Turn And Finish kept on a further two lengths into third, while the well-backed Bacchanalian (20/1 into 5/1) could find no extra on the run-in dropping back to fourth.

Winning trainer Noel Meade said, "He has been so unlucky as he got no run in either Listowel or Thurles the last day and Sam (Ewing) came off him in Killarney. To be honest I didn't do a great job with him earlier in the year as I brought him back in trip, but he actually stays forever.

"He should be a sprinter by right but loves jumping and I said to Donagh going out that, barring accidents, he would win. I'd imagine he will go to Fairyhouse next (for a graded juvenile novice) and he goes on any ground, as he won his two-year-old maiden on soft.

"He is still there to be bought, and I'd say he might get sold now."

Quotes by Tom Weekes