Tomeric ploughed through the tough conditions in Roscommon to land the opening four-year-old maiden hurdle for father and son Eric and Conor McNamara.

The French bred made good headway on the inner, after the second last, to get to grips with Arthur Fonzarelli and took over before the last.

He was ridden on the run-in and stayed on stoutly as Arthur Fonzarelli hung to his left.

The winner scored by a length at 10/1 from Arthur Fonzarelli who was a 14/1 chance. Fou Diligence was three lengths further back at 11/4.

Trainer Eric McNamara said: “He did it well and toughed it out. We were a bit concerned about the ground, as he's a Flat-bred horse, and we didn't know if he'd go on it.

“Conor said he handled it reasonably well. They went off very quick and he stayed going well.

“He had a couple of good runs, and was second a couple of times, so we always felt that he was going to win a maiden hurdle of some description for us so we're glad now he did.

“He's only a four-year-old so hopefully he'll improve. We might look for a little novice or a handicap for him, we'll see what the handicapper says.”

Jockey Conor McNamara added: "To be honest he's Flat bred and I wasn't sure about the ground today but it was dad's call really to run him.

"I thought it was more toughness that got him through rather than the liking of the ground.

"He was unlucky the last time in Ballinrobe - he just got a bit brave going away from the stands at one and just unshipped me. Apart from that his form was good."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson