The Dara Man progressed from a runner-up spot on jumping debut at Listowel to win the maiden hurdle for six-year-olds plus in Ballinrobe.

Shane Fitzgerald 's mount cut right into Maricruz s clear lead upon negotiating the second last. He was still travelling well but was soon in a pocket on the rail as Apple Crumble got first run around the outer.

The Dara Man was switched out from behind a weakening Maricruz to go after Apple Crumble and he joined the leader at the last.

A good jump at it saw him land in the lead and he powered clear in the final furlong to win by five and a half lengths, to the cheers of favourite backers who took the 7/4 (from 9/4). Runner-up Apple Crumble's SP was 10/3 and was 10 lengths in front of Aboutagout (9/4).

Trainer John Ryan said: "He is a smashing horse and did the talking on the track. He will go for a novice hurdle now and I'll probably keep him for Listowel. You can't send them all to Galway!

"I have a lot of good horses at the moment, a bundle of real proper ones. I couldn't believe his price this morning, I thought he would be 1/2!"

In-form Fitzgerald was fresh off a treble at Tipperary on Sunday.

Additional reporting by Donal Murphy