Favourite backers got off to a bright start at Clonmel as Kilbarry Way (evens into 4/5) won the Cahir Mares Maiden Hurdle.

Rachael Blackmore did the steering on Kilbarry Way for handler Con O'Keeffe, and the Waterford runner ran out a convincing four length scorer from Duke's Girl (12s into 8s).

"It's always a chance when you run them so close up (4th at Galway on Sunday) but I'm delighted and grateful to the lads at home who have done all the work," said O'Keeffe.

"We'll see how she comes out of this race but she could run in the Grabel Novice Hurdle at Punchestown in a few weeks time. She'll be up against top class mares in that and I'm not sure if we're in that class but we'll see.

"She ran on soft ground a few times and ran ok and is very versatile ground-wise."

(TW & EM)