There was a tragic end to the maiden hurdle in Galway as the winner, Lucky Pass sustained a fatal shoulder injury after passing the winning post.

The six-year-old gelding was making his first start for Gordon Elliott having been off track for 670 days.

He made little of his long absence with a smooth success today.

Keith Donoghue sent him clear before the last and the pair scooted home by three and three quarter lengths to justify 4/7 favouritism.

He was unbeaten in four outings having won a Loughanmore point-to-point for Brian Hamilton in April 2015 and a pair of bumpers in November and December for Willie Mullins that year.

He had given Elliott an across-the-card double as Hardline also scored in Wexford.