Westmead (9/2) went one place better than on his hurdling debut when taking the opening Comeragh Veterinary Maiden Hurdle for Prunella Dobbs and Sean Flanagan.

Having been second at 66/1 at Killarney last month when looking quite green, the Windsor Knot gelding hit the front two out and, despite drifting a bit left after the last, ran on to just hold Glebe Girl (9/2) by a neck, with the 13/8 favourite Ballymacaw another length and a quarter back in third.

The winning trainer, Co. Wicklow-based Prunella Dobbs said: "it's only his second run over hurdles and that was very satisfying.

"His jumping was excellent and he is a nice horse for the future and we'll see what the handicapper does with him. He loves that ground which is surprising, as he is such a big, strong horse but I think summer ground is nice for him.

"I have a small number of horses, split half and half between jumpers and flat horses and had a winner at Leopardstown on Thursday and my horses are going well. I won my first race as a trainer here, on August 20, 2002."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes