The well-bred Special Diamond got her racing career off to a winning start when taking the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle at Cork.

The daughter of Kayf Tara is a sister to illustrious stablemate Special Tiara, and she showed a good attitude here on debut.

The Henry de Bromhead-trained 12/1 chance appeared to have a tough task on her hands as Arbor Des Champs cruised into contention early in the straight but that rival was just being niggled along when blundering at the last.

Phillip Enright made the most of the opportunity on Special Diamond, and his mount kept on well in the closing stages to prevail by half-a-length.

The 5/2 favourite Khalessi could find no extra another three and a half lengths adrift in third.

Enright said, "It was a good performance but like all of Henry's, she jumped well. She missed the last but was still clever and being a sister to Special Tiara, she had to be good to jump.

"I'd say she'll be a progressive filly and she loved the ground. Special Tiara always liked good ground at the start of his career and as he got older, he stayed better.

"She's a nice filly to go breeding from."