Smiler (first time hood) just held on in the opener at Downpatrick, the Celebrating Father's Day Maiden Hurdle, justifying favouritism under his trainer and owner Mikey O'Connor.

The seven-year-old son of Vinnie Roe won a bumper in empathic style over the course and distance on his last start in October, and he was sent off the 5/4 favourite to follow up this afternoon.

On what was his third start over flights the bay gelding made all and while he was strongly challenge on the run-in by Oscar Vespasian he battled gamely to prevail by a neck.

The aforementioned runner-up was returned a 3/1 chance (backed from 4/1 on-course) under Jonathan Burke for John Queally, while Annakrista was best of the rest sixteen lengths back in third under Mick Darcy for Mervyn Torrens at 14/1.

Mikey O'Connor said afterwards: ""We made it as he had no gallop recently and he's too honest and very hard on himself.

"He likes this place, it's a pity it is so far away!

"He'd be a summer horse and he'll go to Dundalk for the winter. He might go for a winners race in Galway, that track might suit him.

"He would be for sale but he's keeping us smiling. He's named after our neighbour down the road.

"The ground is lovely. It is safe ground with no firm in it."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham