Smokey Joe Joe put an ordinary effort at Clonmel last Sunday behind him as he stepped-up markedly on his second effort over hurdles to land the ITBA S/E Region Maiden Hurdle at Gowran.

Joe Burns, riding his first winner as a 5Ib claimer, led on the point-to-point and bumper winner after two out and it was all plain sailing from there as he went on beat the clear pace-setter, Blue Ridge Lane by nine lengths.

Kieran Purcell trains the 10/1 winner for his wife Josephine and he said: "The ground helped a lot and the bit of experience. The ground has been a bit fast for him on all his runs so far and ideally he needs this ease. We're getting to know him a little bit better now too. He could go for a novice hurdle next maybe."

Meanwhile Purcell also had news on his 'point' and dual bumper scorer, Viking Visitor. Purcell said: "He has been sold and is in training with Jonjo O'Neill. Hopefully he'll turn out to be a very good horse."