Military Hill swept to the front turning for home to run out an impressive winner of the two-mile-five maiden hurdle at Galway this afternoon.

The experienced Flat performer had been third on his first run over timber at Ballinrobe last month and stepped forward from that to open his jumping account in style.

Donie McInerney got the leg up on Paul Stafford's charge and produced him to lead travelling well entering the straight.

The 6/1 shot was asked to pull clear on the run-in and went on to record an eight-length win over 4/9 favourite Ego Des Mottes

Stafford said:- "You'd have to be happy with that. I just didn't know ground-wise with him as he has never run for me on that ground. I felt he wanted easier ground but that's proper national hunt ground.

"A horse fell in front of him on his first start over hurdles and he could never get back into it again but he has never galloped for me on that type of ground so it was an unknown.

"He looks to have taken to hurdles well and I left a bit for improvement too.

"I'm based in north county Dublin not far from Croke Park, I could hear the shouting (for the All-Ireland on Saturday)."

(Quotes by Tom Weekes)